(LibertySociety.com) – While former President Donald Trump’s appearance on CNN gave them a one-night boost in ratings, the network has reportedly lost prime time ratings since then. Notably, the network has been under fire in recent days for its decision to offer Trump a platform to speak from.
CNN averaged around 22,000 fewer viewers than Newsmax in the evening hours but moved up behind Fox and MSNBC “among viewers 25-54” years of age. Prime time ratings were disappointing for CNN, with Fox News Tonight, the replacement show for Tucker Carlson Tonight, getting around 855,000 more viewers than Anderson Cooper 360, which only had around 447,000 people tune in. Every prime time show on Newsmax beat CNN, which is notable since Newsmax has only recently experienced significant growth in the last two years.
After the Town Hall with Trump aired, anchors who work for CNN could not contain their disgust with the decision, with some speaking out against the network. Reporter Oliver Darcy was lectured for being “too emotional” in the newsletter he authors for CNN, as the network was facing backlash from all directions but for different reasons. Trump praised the network for boosting their ratings by having him on, but then later stated that he “was surprised by the level of hostility” within the network, as he was under the impression that they were seeking new viewership.
The CEO of CNN, Chris Licht, defended the decision to do the Town Hall event, as he believes the American people possibly got some answers they were looking for, while CNN anchor Anderson Cooper felt that it was important that people see what the former president is campaigning on, interjecting his personal opposition and disgust with the answers he provided during the event.
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