Ron Paul takes the lead in Iowa.

[Imran Siddiqui]

What does knowing about CBS have anything to do with knowing America? I think you are ascribing far more power to that than actually should exist.

[giblets]

But you are familiar with the network, and you know something about it's reputation. You've heard of Walter Cronkite and Mike Wallace, and you know that CBS is one of the classic big three networks. Right?

According to Wikipedia Walter Cronkite retired a decade before I was born. I've heard of Mike Wallace although I never watched him. A classic network? I guess so although I can't remember any decent television shows airing on CBS even though Wikipedia tells me they're a top-rated network. Well, there was 60 minutes which had that angry old guy who would rant about stuff.

[Lorizael]

According to Wikipedia Walter Cronkite retired a decade before I was born. I've heard of Mike Wallace although I never watched him. A classic network? I guess so although I can't remember any decent television shows airing on CBS even though Wikipedia tells me they're a top-rated network. Well, there was 60 minutes which had that angry old guy who would rant about stuff.

... You have heard of Walter Cronkite, right?

[Felch]

What does knowing about CBS have anything to do with knowing America? I think you are ascribing far more power to that than actually should exist.

Someone who doesn't know that CBS is a well regarded news source probably doesn't know much of anything about America. If someone was talking about Britain, and it turned out they knew nothing about the BBC's reputation as a news source, wouldn't you question their expertise?

According to Wikipedia Walter Cronkite retired a decade before I was born. I've heard of Mike Wallace although I never watched him. A classic network? I guess so although I can't remember any decent television shows airing on CBS even though Wikipedia tells me they're a top-rated network. Well, there was 60 minutes which had that angry old guy who would rant about stuff.

While it has lower ratings than ABC or NBC, CBS pulls in more viewers than Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC combined.

In other words, Bugs is full of ****.

[Felch]

... You have heard of Walter Cronkite, right?

If he's never seen Full Metal Jacket, then the boy has bigger problems than I thought.

[Felch]

For Gribbler's benefit, one of Cronkite's most famous clips:

[giblets]

While it has lower ratings than ABC or NBC, CBS pulls in more viewers than Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC combined.

In other words, Bugs is full of ****.

So broadcast television outperforms cable? I still don't see why it's a big deal if someone is familiar with the television networks in another country. Television is mostly just entertainment, and of course a format for getting news that isn't any better than newspapers, radio, the internet, etc. You really have some pretty strange opinions IMHO.

[Wezil]

I'm not sure how Cronkite speaks to the current relevance of CBS.

[giblets]

For Gribbler's benefit, one of Cronkite's most famous clips:

What exactly is the benefit of watching a clip of the news from 1968 saying that the conflict in Vietnam is a stalemate? I gathered no information that I didn't already get from history class.

[Felch]

So broadcast television outperforms cable? I still don't see why it's a big deal if someone is familiar with the television networks in another country. Television is mostly just entertainment, and of course a format for getting news that isn't any better than newspapers, radio, the internet, etc. You really have some pretty strange opinions IMHO.

20 million people tune in each night to one of the big three networks for their news. The smallest of them is bigger than the three cable news networks put together. They have tremendous influence over public perceptions and opinions, especially for older Americans. Believe it or not, they are highly regarded news sources.

What exactly is the benefit of watching a clip of the news from 1968 saying that the conflict in Vietnam is a stalemate? I gathered no information that I didn't already get from history class.

You've seen and heard Walter Cronkite. Now you're less ignorant than you were a few minutes ago.

[Felch]

I'm not sure how Cronkite speaks to the current relevance of CBS.

There are plenty of people still alive who remember Cronkite, and many of those people get their news from CBS.

[Wezil]

Remembering him and ascribing his talents to the current crew aren't the same thing.

Secondly, just because "many people get their news" from CBS doesn't make them good. How many viewers does Fox have?

[Wezil]

I see your Cronkite and raise you one Dan Rather:

2. Dan Rather, CBS News and George Bush's Service Record

Just weeks before the 2004 election, CBS News ran a report alleging that President Bush had gotten into the Texas Air National Guard - thus avoiding the Vietnam War draft - as a result of preferential treatment by the military. The report was based on memos said to be from that era. But bloggers pointed out that the memos appeared to have been typed on a computer, not a typewriter, and CBS eventually admitted that it couldn't prove the memos were real. An internal probe led to the firing of three CBS execs and the report's producer, Mary Mapes. CBS News anchor Dan Rather, who had defended the memos, stepped down early in 2005, apparently as a result of the scandal. Rather sued CBS, saying the network had scapegoated him over the story.

http://journalism.about.com/od/ethicsprofessionalism/tp/journalismscandals.htm

[Felch]

I wholeheartedly agree that CBS news has become terrible. After all, they completely ignored Ron Paul in a recent piece about the NH primary. But they used to have a much better reputation, and they remain a well regarded and trusted source of news for millions of Americans.

Since you asked, Fox News' best rated show has less than half as many people watching as CBS Evening News. Obviously being on 24 hours, they have people who watch at different times of day, but I don't know how many unique viewers there are on a daily basis.

[Wezil]

I wholeheartedly agree that CBS news has become terrible. After all, they completely ignored Ron Paul in a recent piece about the NH primary. But they used to have a much better reputation, and they remain a well regarded and trusted source of news for millions of Americans.

But why should a non-American be required to be aware of this particular news agency before speaking on the topic? Your original inference was what I was responding to.

Since you asked, Fox News' best rated show has less than half as many people watching as CBS Evening News. Obviously being on 24 hours, they have people who watch at different times of day, but I don't know how many unique viewers there are on a daily basis.

I didn't look at your viewership links earlier but it should be pointed out - People PAY to watch the cable networks whereas they can get CBS for free. I wouldn't be at all surprised if the broadcast networks (including ABC and NBC) score much higher numbers. Free has a way of making that happen.

Again, doesn't say squat about quality.