As NewsBusters has often reported, MSNBC's line-up has led the cable news channel to a freefall in the ratings, with Baltimore Sun media critic David Zurawik blasting the schedule as “unwatchable” and “24 hours a day of mess.”
In an article posted on Thursday, Politico columnist Dylan Byers reported that the channel's daytime year-to-date viewership “is down 21 percent overall and 41 percent in the coveted 25- to 54-year-old demographic.”
“If you can't beat 'em, join 'em” seems to be the new motto of Phil Griffin, president of the liberal and low-rated MSNBC cable channel, who is trying to attract young consumers “who get their news via digital means.”
The online initiative -- which will be known as “Shift by MSNBC” -- will contain 14 new series ranging from The Briefing, a political program hosted on Mondays and Fridays by Luke Russert, son of the late Meet the Press icon Tim Russert; to Krystal Clear, a show centered on issues younger women face that will be anchored by Krystal Ball, the co-host of the channel's daytime The Cycle show.
Following Newt Gingrich’s second-place performance in the Florida Republican Primary, MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow and Reverend Al Sharpton blasted the candidate for supposedly using ‘dog whistle’ racial codes in his concession speech.
During his speech, Gingrich laid out criticism of President Obama’s policy failures while in office. He referenced the president’s obsession with soaking up media adulation, particularly a recent stab at singing a line from an Al Green song at a fundraiser, rather than actually doing his job as president.