O'Reilly misrepresented NY Times article to accuse it of "deceiv[ing] the public" regarding Olbermann's ratings
SUMMARY: Bill O'Reilly asserted that The New York Times is not "honest" because an article stated that "MSNBC is competitive with The [O'Reilly] Factor at 8 p.m.," claiming, "MSNBC had no overall ratings growth at 8 p.m. None. In the past five weeks, the Factor has beaten them by 225 percent in total audience and 100 percent in the key demo [the 25- to 54-year-old marketing demographic]." In fact, the article stated that MSNBC's Countdown has "[o]n some nights recently ... come tantalizingly close to surpassing" the Factor "among viewers ages 25 to 54" and noted that "[m]ost of the time, though, Mr. O'Reilly outdraws Mr. Olbermann by about 1.5 million viewers over all at the same hour, according to Nielsen Media Research."
On the November 6 edition of Fox News' The O'Reilly Factor, host Bill O'Reilly asserted that The New York Times is not "honest" because "[i]ts TV reporter Jacques Steinberg actually wrote an article that says MSNBC is competitive with The Factor at 8 p.m.[ET]." O'Reilly stated: "Mr. Steinberg knows that is not true. He knows that's a lie, but he wrote it anyway." O'Reilly added: "Here is the truth. In October, MSNBC had no overall ratings growth at 8 p.m. None. In the past five weeks, the Factor has beaten them by 225 percent in total audience and 100 percent in the key demo [the 25- to 54-year-old marketing demographic]." Concluding, O'Reilly stated: "Steinberg knows the score, but chose to deceive the public. Disgraceful." In fact, Steinberg did not claim that "MSNBC is competitive with The Factor at 8 p.m." Rather, Steinberg wrote in his November 6 Times article that MSNBC's Countdown has "[o]n some nights recently ... come tantalizingly close to surpassing" the Factor "among viewers ages 25 to 54," and noted that "Most of the time, though, Mr. O'Reilly outdraws Mr. Olbermann by about 1.5 million viewers over all at the same hour, according to Nielsen Media Research."
According to Nielsen Media Research live and same-day data, Countdown came within 60,000 viewers of the Factor in the 25- to 54-year-old marketing demographic on at least three occasions since September 1. Indeed, Countdown came within 56,000 viewers (26 percent more viewers) in the 25-54 age demographic on November 2; within 48,000 viewers in the adult demographic (a difference of 17 percent) on October 26; and within 19,000 viewers (and beat O'Reilly in the first half-hour) on September 7. Moreover, on October 19, Countdown beat the Factor in the adult demographic, topping O'Reilly's program by 25,000 viewers (as TV Newser noted, "O'Reilly still had the #1 program in total viewers with 1.4M, more than doubling Olbermann's audience").
O'Reilly's comments came during a discussion of reports that MSNBC is currently considering offering comedian Rosie O'Donnell a prime-time show on the network. During the segment, an on-screen graphic featured a photograph of O'Donnell accompanied by the NBC logo and text reading "Selling Its Soul?" O'Reilly stated that "in the interest of truth" he would "dispel some rumors." He went on to say: "It is not true that Sean Penn will be co-anchoring the NBC Nightly News. That is false. It is also not true that Hugo Chavez will become their chief foreign correspondent. Apparently, he is unavailable for that position. And it's certainly not true that [Rep.] Barney Frank [D-MA] will be doing the weather on the Today show. Not going to happen even if Rosie signs on." Talks between MSNBC and O'Donnell have since reportedly failed.
O'Reilly also stated: "Now, all this madness is the responsibility of this guy, Jeffrey Immelt, the CEO of General Electric, which owns NBC. Mr. Immelt also had no comment on Rosie O'Donnell. But GE stockholders should have a comment." Similarly, during the same day's broadcast of Fox News' The Big Story, co-host Heather Nauert claimed that NBC is "a big, big public company. Shareholders are going to be pretty upset if they're getting -- once the company starts getting a lot of flak."
As Media Matters for America has documented, O'Reilly has repeatedly attacked both NBC and MSNBC (here, here, and here), as well as The New York Times (here, here, and here).
From the November 6 edition of Fox News' The O'Reilly Factor:
O'REILLY: So how bad are things at MSNBC? Listen to one of their show presenters.
TUCKER CARLSON [Tucker host, video clip]: That does it for us. Thank you for watching as always. And we mean that sincerely to all eight of you. We'll be back here Monday. Up next, Hardball with Chris Matthews. Have a great weekend.
O'REILLY: Well, at least Carlson is honest, which is more than you can say for The New York Times. Its TV reporter Jacques Steinberg actually wrote an article that says MSNBC is competitive with The Factor at 8 p.m.
Now, Mr. Steinberg knows that is not true. He knows that's a lie, but he wrote it anyway. Here is the truth: In October, MSNBC had no overall ratings growth at 8 p.m. None. In the past five weeks, The Factor has beaten them by 225 percent in total audience and 100 percent in the key demo. Margins of victory rarely come bigger than that. Again, Steinberg knows the score, but chose to deceive the public. Disgraceful.
This is the same thing The New York Times did with the far-left radio network Air America. The paper ran more than 20 favorable pieces on those loons, many of them saying how well they were doing. Then presto, Air America declares bankruptcy. Who knew?
The Factor contacted Tom Brokaw today for a comment on Rosie. Mr. Brokaw had nothing to say. Tim Russert, nothing to say. Brian Williams, nothing to say.
But in the interest of truth, I am now going to dispel some rumors. It is not true that Sean Penn will be co-anchoring the NBC Nightly News. That is false. It is also not true that Hugo Chavez will become their chief foreign correspondent. Apparently, he is unavailable for that position. And it's certainly not true that Barney Frank will be doing the weather on the Today show. Not going to happen even if Rosie signs on.
Now, all this madness is the responsibility of this guy, Jeffrey Immelt, the CEO of General Electric, which owns NBC. Mr. Immelt also had no comment on Rosie O'Donnell. But GE stockholders should have a comment.
On Immelt's watch, the NBC network is in dire trouble. Coming up, "Talking Points" is spot on when we told you that NBC News had embraced the radical left agenda in pursuit of ratings. There is no doubt any longer. And that's the "Memo."
From the November 6 edition of Fox News' Big Story with John Gibson and Heather Nauert:
NAUERT: OK. She's known for making an awful lot of nutty comments, among them, you know, she said don't fear the terrorists. They are mothers and fathers, too. Does NBC really want this kind of liability?
BEN FERGUSON (radio host): I think they want it because they'll do anything for ratings. And they'll let people say crazy, crazy things like this, and totally ruin the, I think, any reputation they had of having some sort of credibility by putting Rosie on TV.
NAUERT: But Jonah, it's also NBC, a big, big public company. Shareholders are going to be pretty upset if they're getting -- once the company starts getting a lot of flak.
JONAH GOLDBERG (National Review Online editor-at-large): You know, I agree -- look, to me, this is ultimately a lose-lose thing for GE and for NBC. Remember when ESPN invited Rush Limbaugh to be on, and then they were shocked that Rush Limbaugh was Rush Limbaugh? They're inviting Rosie O'Donnell to come on to be a crazy woman, to be one of these shrieking homeless people who won't leave the library. And she's going to come on -- either she's going to be a crazy person, which is not good for their public image, or she's not and she's going to get rating, and she's going to tank in the ratings. I don't see how -- she can't thread the needle and be some new person. They want her to come on to be the crazy Rosie O'Donnell that people watched for the same people reason people watched without the car wrecks.
I love Olbermann's show and am delighted it has begun to attract more and more viewers. I could care less if it does or doesn't beat the blowhard's show- but it is obvious he is darn worried about that. I am pleased that there is finally some intelligence in a show presenting major stories of the day and featuring comments by others who don't shout or try to talk over one another. There is far too much of that nonsense on cable news as is.
Did he actually say Keith on his show? I thought if anyone said that near O'Lielly he would send fox security out to get them.
I wonder if O'Reilly knows that nobody outside his producers and advertisers cares what his ratings are or how they compare to competing programs? I work for a newspaper, and I don't think we would ever spend time and space reporting on our circulation numbers.
This is childish.
As much as I hate to say it...
Make room in the WITH Patrol Boat for me.
Billy simply can't help but lie. It's in his bones.
It's in his soul. A sad disgrace that America has to listen to this man. The joke is on America, but it's not that funny.
I think the problem with Bill is the fact that he has never had a problem lying to himself. From what I can tell (in my observation of some individuals), if you can lie to yourself, it's simple to lie to others.
The same is true with respect. If you can't respect yourself...
I think it's clear that this "blowhard" has both afflictions.
So, should those who disagree with him hate him - or pity him?
LINDEN;
Good analysis. Self delusion is the hallmark of rightwingerism everywhere, and O'Reilly is just the most "visable" example.
(Knew a Jeff Linden in Austin, Texas.)
Per Greenwald, the channel of family values is investing heavily in T & A. That'll help in the ratings game. Bill's hyperbolic style will be treated to steriods. How long till his brain explodes? The world may not care. S'ok Bill cares, Alis cares, Murdock cares, and of course most of us are interested. Its kind of creepy to watch though.
What's with Carlson? That guy is so spineless I wouldn't be surprised if Fox was paying him to sap his own network.
Justice and Truth in the USA - FACT CHECK:
The only reason that MMFA keeps defending Keith O-blow-me-man is probably because all that ratings challenged "Count----" does is to serve as a transmission belt for MMFA propaganda.
I have to call this one for Bill O. simply because he is correct. The ultra-ultra-liberal-left NYTIMES (whose own circulation numbers are in free-fall!) has tried desperately to prop up Kieth. But the fact is that "The Factor" kicks the other guy's program every day of the week. Even when the lovely Michelle Malkin is guest hosting, the program just beats and beats and beath "Count----".
The only reason that MMFA keeps defending Keith O-blow-me-man
Justice, I am not a big fan of Olbermann myself, I find him to be a loudmouth and a partisan hack however what gives you the right to use the sexual innuendo on this website?
At this point I have to think to myself that you are trying to do some sort of Colbert-esque parody thing because if you aren't I am going to have to drasticly revise my opinions of the capabilities for gullibillity and stupidity of my fellow man.
"But the fact is that 'The Factor' kicks the other guy's program every day of the week. Even when the lovely Michelle Malkin is guest hosting, the program just beats and beats and beath 'Count----'."
Yes, and "American Idol" beats and beats and beats "Masterpiece Theater." "Gilligan's Island" won a few ratings battles too. Your point is what? I have to call this one for "irrelevant."
The reason morons like you keep coming in here and making a fool out of yourself is you are ignorant. Perhaps not as ignorant as Malkin but close. You are both charter members of the marching moron association.
Thanks for admitting you are a bill o'lielly fanbot you just lose because of defending Wiley over Clinton now your true colors are showing. You lose creditability.
BTW forgot meant justicetruthus8276 on my comment above is a O'Lielly fanbot. No creditability at all just another mouthpeice.
JusticeTruth go home...
Don't make a fool of yourself like many of the Con posters on this site.
Billdo got his ass pulverized again. Why??? Because he's a lyin' sack of crap.
Wake up to reality!
The only reason that MMFA keeps defending Keith [...] is probably because all that ratings challenged "Count----" does is to serve as a transmission belt for MMFA propaganda.
You're right. Great intelligence, a desire for objective analysis, hatred of hypocrasy and intellorance and the desire for the rule of sanity to return to this country are traits that MMFA, Mister Olbermann, myself and all of the decent posters on this forum share.
Folks,
Just an Untruth is a troll (or an RNC plant). Leave him alone and he'll go home. Then we can get back to our regularly scheduled program; intellectually sound but ineffective (i.e., not winning hearts and minds) whoopin's on Tommy and Sue and Jeter and . . . ;)
So what is the problem here, what is the story? He was right, overall his show beats the guy from Sports Center every night. I read the article, and I saw the O'Reilly report. The article was misleading, and it was designed to give the impressionn that KO is competive.....he is not. That same article also said MSNBC was attempting to go FAR LEFT for ratings. MM has a cow over Fox News being to the right, but I guess it is ok if MSNBC goes far left. I guess a sports newscaster and a comedian are what MSNBC wants and what the left feels will save them. I cant wait to be called names and attacked. I will not hold my breath however for anyone to deal with the substance of what I am saying. Much easier to call me a troll then to deal with the fact the Bill was right, and that MSNBC is going as far to the left as possible.
Pointofview, I will not call you names, your opinion is valid. rosie is out of the MSNBC future though so your basis is wrong however.
She is out, but it looks like the only reason she is out is because they wanted her to do some day time things as well. The point is they wanted her, and the question why? What would she have brought to the table? She has said some crazy horrible things, and she is not held accountable for it.
"What would she have brought to the table?"
Ratings. The View's ratings improved substantially after her debut. Personally, I can't stand her, but in this day and age of for-profit media, substance and credibility matters not, especially when it comes to cable news. O'Reilly is proof of that. It's all about getting people to watch and selling the ads.
Well Pete, cant argure much with ya there...
I dont know what you are talking about there was a firestorm of criticism of her because of several of her comments.
Good point Point of View...
At least O'Reilly has never said anything horrible, and he doesn't lie like Rosie.
Please go take your meds now. There, there, that's a good boy! If you don't take your meds regularly, it's back to the hospital...that's a good boy.
Take your meds, and I'll let you watch the last hour of Limboob!
"MM has a cow over Fox News being to the right, but I guess it is ok if MSNBC goes far left."
I don't think it does. When you get a chance, read the "mission statement." I think MM adheres to that pretty consistently. To me "has a cow" suggests it gets unhinged. I think MM pretty much quotes the comments made, states the facts, and lets those facts speak for themselves. I don't get any sense of an emotional over-reaction. Of course many of those who post get a little fired up...
"I read the article, and I saw the O'Reilly report. The article was misleading, and it was designed to give the impressionn that KO is competive.....he is not. "
What part of the article did you NOT read? The NYT article clearly stated that BOR has more viewers, but in one desireable demographic, Olbermann comes close to beating him.
Olbermann, thus, is very competitive in key demographics.
So what is the problem here, what is the story? He was right, overall his show beats the guy from Sports Center every night.
Did you actually read the MMFA post? The misinformation in question was not about Bill-O claiming he has more viewers! Even the NYT admitted that! The misinformation is that Bill-O claimed that the NYT was misleading people, or making false claims AND THEY WERE NOT!!!
You have no idea how hard it was for me to abstian from ad hominen attacks in writing this, but MY GOD, MAN. RTF article next time!
Bill ISNT right. The FACTS are right there in the NYTimes article for anyone to read. MSNBC is not going to the far left. A baseless assertion is not a fact just because you WISH it was.
So, you're basically buying Mr. OReilly's delusional bromide here, that a network which employs Tucker Carlson, Joe Scarborough, and Pat Buchanan, that regularly employs the services of John Fund and, yes, that little weasel from the National Review (forgot his name, another chicken-hawk) is somehow a member of the far-left (did you catch O'Reilly today, comparing war-hero Jack Murtha with Sean Penn?)? I suppose you also buy hook, line, and sinker his preposterous assertion that Chris Matthews (a commentator who is far, FAR more unpredictable/idiosyncratic than O'Reilly, Hume, etc.) is also a member of the far-left. Chris Matthews, I'm saying! The same Chris Matthews that Media Matters critcizes for NOT BEING LIBERAL ENOUGH! I mean, sure, they do have Olberman and, yes, he does go a tad over the top at times. But at least the guy is intelligent and thoughtful in his presentation. This, I'm saying, as opposed to O'Reilly whose quest for anecdotal evidence is only superceded by the preposterous extrapolations he makes. Bottom line, yeah, I do kind of disagree with you. For more, refer to paranoiacstoogetalk.blogspot.com
MSNBC would have to arm its personnel, and begin assassinating FOXLIES people, to catch up in audience, - so long as there are 30% of us totally braindead but still counted in the ratings. I do see signs of hope, however - some recent polls show Bungle down to as low as 27%, so perhaps age and nature are addressing that problem for us.
Perhaps televising the assassinations as "reality TV" would help - since I left that line out of what I thought I wrote.
THE HUFFINGTON POST JUST POINTED OUT THAT KEITH OLBERMANN IS A LIAR ABOUT WHAT HE SAID REGARDING WATERBOARDING AND DANIEL LEVIN.
KO MADE THE WHOLE STORY UP.
MEDIA MATTERS IS NEGLIGENT WITH ITS REPORTING ABOUT KO IF THE HUFFINGTON POST IS WILLING TO REPORT ABOUT A BLATANT LIE.
See here.
Hi-ho there, Compliantconsent. Nice trick citing a Huffington Post item then linking to your silly blog. (BTW, on the subject of ratings,congratulations on passing the 165 readers milestone).
I think you missed the point of HuffPo's busting KO.Levin basically said that waterboarding is torture as the Bush administration is doing it now.Olberman did represent that as him saying that is across the board torture, and HuffPo was nailing KO for going too easy on Levin.
I do like this-from the CompliantConsent 165 reader-strong blog;
"All Conservatives/ Libertarians should read the liberal blogs from time to time. In order to make a valid argument for Conservatism, you must understand the other side. This is true even if the other side is devoid of any rational thought."
This is comedy gold, coming from one who seems to never read or understand the articles here, and fails on a regular basis to present a valid argument.Do you ever blog to your little group of retiree wingnuts about how regularly you get slapped here?
I'd visit more often, possibly getting you over the 200 mark, if you'd post some of your MMFA failures on your blog.I guess it's easier to make up fictional victories here, eh?.
1) Huffington Post didn't allow commenting on their KO post, so there was nothing to link to other than the third-party article, which I did;
2) We've exceeded 24,000 visitors in one day before (the 165 is the number of subscribers we have);
3) The rest of your paragraph you just stated facts by fiat without providing justification.
He blew you out of the water. Linking to YOUR DUMB BLOG isnt a third party site its YOUR worthless piece of dreck. If more then two people a week read it for anything but the laughs I feel sorry for them.
You're again wrong. I linked to the third party site on my blog, because otherwise, there is no context to where the heck it came from.
You people need to relax.
And you need to stop LYING Huffington didnt say Olbermann made the whole thing up.
They said he distorted the facts and posted a link. You are the liar.
1) Huffington Post didn't allow commenting on their KO post, so there was nothing to link to other than the third-party article, which I did;
That's my point, you didn't link to the original item you cited, only your distorted understanding of it.
2) We've exceeded 24,000 visitors in one day before (the 165 is the number of subscribers we have);
Many of those visitors misled by your links. Subscribers are the ones who want to go there. .
3) The rest of your paragraph you just stated facts by fiat without providing justification.
I don't own an Italian car, and they were just my opinions, except for the things that were facts.
MMFA cherrypicks quotes from the NYTimes article:
Here is how the NYtimes piece actually begins, which you can click to from the word "article":
Riding a ratings wave from “Countdown With Keith Olbermann,”...
So the NYTimes thinks Countdown is a ratings wave, like a tidal wave?? As has been reported here, the second chart of total viewers shows Countdown ratings to be steady and comparatively low.
O'Reilly is right: There was dishonesty in portraying the recent Countdown ratings as a "wave".
Parade Magazine's Marilyn vos Savant often has questions about predicting the next in a series.
Just for fun, look at the top chart linked to in the previous post. You may note that O'Reilly has lower ratings in the key demographic on these dates:
10/19, 10/26, and 11/2
Hmmm, what does that say about O'Reilly's demo viewers? As George Jones sings, "It's finally ........"
I see the O'Lielly bots come out on full force with KO threads. I still can't believe Bill O'Lielly said KOs name doesn't he know that is a curse for right-wing pundits to say KO name. IS O'Lielly going to send fox security after himself?
It's Official. Bill-O is paranoid and psychotic. Perhaps he needs a nice long rest.
I can not believe that these are the topics Media Matters spends their time and money on. If misrepresenting information is the biggest fault you can find, you really have wasted your time.