Perhaps the “lamestream” media can’t be saved after all.
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin — devout aggressor toward the “liberal press” — co-hosted NBC’s Today show this week as ABC’s Good Morning America, desperate to edge NBC in the ratings, enlisted Katie Couric’s services. But Palin’s appearance only widened the gap between Today and Good Morning America by 23,000 viewers, according to Nielsen Co. numbers reported by the Associated Press.
Today drew 5.5 million viewers, while GMA had 356,000 fewer tuning in. On Monday, the gap dividing them was 333,000 viewers.
The booking battle was sold as an epic showdown between the networks, but neither host took any swings at the other. Palin, by all accounts, was a pleasant host. A broadcaster by training, and conservative pundit by practice, she joked at her own expense and rattled off a few Republican talking points.
Good Morning America has been chipping away at Today’s audience margin, but it appears Palin won this round against Couric.
Watch the highlight’s from Palin’s appearance:
David Taintor
David Taintor is TPM’s News Editor. He contributes to TPM’s Livewire coverage, among other areas. David is from Chanhassen, Minnesota, where, yes, it gets very cold. Reach him at taintor [at] talkingpointsmemo.com
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