Obama's viewership declines

UPDATED: Most TV shows start strong in the ratings, then decline as their novelty wears off.

Apparently that trend also holds true for the president's primetime telecasts. 

According to the national Nielsen ratings, Barack Obama's Tuesday-night press conference lost viewers compared with his two most recent heavily covered evening events.

The news special drew 40.4 million viewers -- down 18% from from his Feb. 9 press conference, and down 23% from his Feb. 24 address to Congress. The numbers are the combined viewership from 11 cable and broadcast networks that carried the event.

On the plus side, some broadcasters who were grumpy about the president's primetime interruption nonetheless enjoyed a silver lining. With Obama clearing the night of the usual victor, Fox's "American Idol" (which will air a performance show tonight and its results show on Thursday), several of the singing competition's rivals enjoyed heavy ratings gains over last week.

ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" results show was up a huge 39% (16.1 million viewers, 3.9 adults 18-49 rating and 10 share). NBC's "The Biggest Loser" (9.8 million, 4.1/11) hit an eight-week high. CBS' "NCIS" (17.8 million, 4.0/10) was very strong also. At 10 p.m., ABC's "Primetime" (8.0 million, 2.6/7) was up, while CBS' "The Mentalist" (17.6 million, 3.9/10) climbed sharply.

Obama's press conference providing some of these shows with a sturdy lead-in may have helped too. Typically "The Biggest Loser" and "NCIS" have to self-start at 8 p.m., while last week ABC had a low-rated recap episode to warm up the 9 p.m. "Dancing" audience.

As for the protest vote, the CW's "Reaper" (2.7 million, 1.1/3) at 8 p.m. was the only broadcast show to air against Obama's press conference and climbed 11% to hit a season high.

Despite the president's viewership softening last night, Obama still manages to draw large audiences to any program he visits. Obama went on NBC's "The Tonight Show" last Thursday and pulled in 8.9 million homes (national ratings are not yet available). On Sunday, more than 17 million watched CBS' "60 Minutes" featuring an extended interview with the president, making the program the fourth-most-watched show of the week.

In Tuesday's conference, Obama said he was seeing signs of progress in his drive to lead the United States out of economic crisis as he sought to reassure recession-weary Americans he was on the right track.

"We're moving in the right direction," Obama said.

Knocked off stride by public anger over hefty corporate bonuses and facing skepticism about his massive budget plan, the president moved to regain his political footing and refocus attention on his broader economic agenda. He made his case to the American people the same day he pressed for coordinated action among the world's major economies, and just a day after unveiling a trillion-dollar plan to soak up toxic bank assets at the root of the global financial meltdown.

Obama took the podium after U.S. stocks slid while investors paused to reassess the government's latest effort to clean up bank balance sheets. Initial euphoria over the plan had driven stocks sharply higher on Monday.

Obama, who has vowed to repair America's image overseas after eight years under George W. Bush, said there were indications his policy changes were "restoring confidence" internationally in U.S. global leadership.

He also made clear he was serious about his recent overtures of a fresh start with longtime U.S. foe Iran and said the status quo of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in which he has promised strong U.S. engagement, was "unsustainable."

Focusing on the economy, Obama said, "We've put in place a comprehensive strategy designed to attack this crisis on all fronts. It's a strategy to create jobs, to help responsible homeowners, to restart lending, and to grow our economy over the long term. And we are beginning to see signs of progress."

-- With additional reporting by Matt Spetalnick and Ross Colvin, Reuters

PREVIOUS: Networks reluctantly shuffle for Obama speech

Comments

[Mary]

Yawn. I watched a movie. Got the gist of his remarks later.

[HonestAbe]

What a DRAG this Press Conference Was,,Same Old Stuff,No wonder viewer ship is down,,

[amaury pi-gonzalez]

Dancing With the Stars was much more interesting, there were no bailout there, Obama will be next on
"The Prize is Right"trying to bid on a refrigerator for a disnchinfranchised single women.
Later Obama will appear on "Desperate Houseviews"telling them to have patience on their husband, sex will come,,but this is like an oceanliner...cannot turn it around right away.
The problem is this ocean liner The Titanic?

[Joseph]

The only reason the majority of people bother to tune in to this clown any longer is to see what his teleprompter tells him to say. Imagine their disappointment when they found out he has thrown his old teleprompter under the bus, with everyone else and now has a new gig, a GREAT BIG FLAT SCREEN TV!! Now we can ALL see what the NEW teleprompter is telling him to say.

Isn't this EXCITING!!!

[John G]

Why shouldn't it? It's the same old tripe coming out of his mouth. Obama's "financial crisis" just replaces Bush's "global war on terror." We will continue to hear "financial crisis" until we puke. Someone pulls his string and he starts talking.

[Ron]

Same old Tax and Burn!
How many days before he's gone?
Did not turn the TV on.
Obama on tv off. Do they make an Obama filter?

[higgins1990]

Obama is so narcissistic, that he can't understand how overexposure will deplete is political capital. I am starting to turn off the TV whenever he appears.

[Susan]

Like Britian, he has run out of other people's money. No wonder he thinks he can spend his way out of this mess. He thinks having the job as president means running around with all the popular kids and sucking up to Hollywood! Since this is his first real job, I wish that someone would tell him that he actually has to work!!! If he ever had to hold a real job he would understand that money has a real value, not something that someone else earns so that he can spend it.

Did I watch? Hell no! He has not earned one second of my time. I change the channel every time he comes on.

[Catholic in DEED]

The Show was vague, boring, slightly disturbing and reminiscent of Gorbachav. Obama droned on about his policies. If you take a realistic look at the outcomes of his programs you will discover an arrogant elitist, statist, communist. So sorry, so sad. If we don't stop him, that which we call 'America' will be over.

[Janice Gammil]

TV was off.

[hostagehoosier]

I remember my mom used to tape a piece of paper to the TV when Bill Clinton would give the State of the Union. It said "Everything this man says is a lie."...i might start this practice.

[lucy]

He makes me sick to my stomach...
Junk spews from his mouth........

I call him O Vomit.

[Sherry]

I started watching, but realized that no matter how personable Pres. Obama is, his words don't express what he is doing. He and congress are overhauling our nation to such an extent that we may never recover - and we will all pay. Poor and rich will pay, but the middle class will pay the most. Do the math.

[Juan1984]

Obama press conference! That's the reason the Cartoon Network was invented. Switch for an hour, laugh a little, then return to your normally scheduled broadcast.

[pomoc]

It is bad enough that every political web site has obama's face plastered on it. I can't take it any more ,that is all the man has is the smile and nothing of substance .I just don't watch him he is empty and he is truly a better lier than clinton and you know how good he was .

[June]

The ratings reaffirm Emerson's dictum that "Every hero becomes a bore at last".In Obama's case,it has happened very quickly and is entirely merited.He was vastly over rated by the media to begin with.

[Budzy1911]

Are we surprised when he says that we need to pass this fast and then work out the details later? Don’t look at the details because he and his team will do that for you.

We heard that with TARP (both parties were to blame for that turd) and then both parties feign shock when AIG gets their bonuses.

Obama is an empty suit spewing hollow words. Are we surprised?

[Tired of the Lies]

Thank goodness for "On Demand!" I got caught up on my favorite cable series while Obama spewed meaningless words.

[John M. Barnett]

Barry Soetoro gave a terrible speech, didn't answer one question that would satisfy the American public, these morons that voted for him will pay the price right along with those of us that knew he was a communist.

[Ghost Rider]

His rating are declining? Hmmm...looks like the fools who voted for this fool are finally starting to wisen up!

[T R]

Who had a press conference last night? When? Why doesn't the media ever cover these events? What was said? Was my bailout announced? Did I hit the lottery? How much do I get? PUT TEA LEAVES IN THE ENEVLOPE WITH YOUR TAX RETURN THIS YEAR!!!

[tired of seeing him]

Why doesn't he just go away and leave us alone?

[justin]

Does this mean he will get canceled? I got into the show a bit ago with all the failed cabinet appointments. Now, just as the show was starting to get interesting with all the populist rage and the McCarthy era bills of attainder, his ratings go down. Go figure.

Wonder if he will still be around for the fall line up. Anyway, if this show gets canceled I hope they tie up all the lose ends by season one. It's going to be hard to fit the countries implosion into the first season, but so far the writters have been exellent.

[Mary Ellen]

Every time I hear him speak I feel poorer, so I don't watch. I'm annoyed at him bumping Idol off though. He totally screwed my schedule this week. Thanks!

[mrsharfer]

Hugo Chavez calls this POTUS an "ignoramus". I realize that's the pot calling the kettle black. (no racism intended, (smile)), but it must be really bad for the likes of a despot to make such a statement. Repubs better strap on some balls and begin impeachment before we the people have nothing left.

[edward esser]

When I turned the T-V on it took me three second to change channels, hope I am NOT included in the "watchers" group

[YankeeSoonerBill]

All they need is the Big, Giant Monitor to tell everyone what his handlers tell him to say to the American People!!!

Then the Giant Ego-Headed Demagogue can stay in the Living Quarters and leave the rest of us to hell alone and stop boring us to death!!!!

[manny]

Nice to see the high quality of posters on this site. Are your KKK dues paid for this year?

[Ann]

Too bad that wasn't the series ending lmao.. Both of his conferences have been extremely boring and it takes him 15 minutes to answer one question. The only reason I even watched it was because I had it on Fox.

[lee cary]

"Most TV shows start strong in the ratings, then decline as their novelty wears off."

WHAT? That's nonsence! If ratings go down after the first show, the show is cancelled. You're clearly an apologist for Obama.

[Sherry]

PUT TEA LEAVES IN YOUR TAX RETURN! Great idea TR! Like the Boston Tea Party...but we also have to rev up to vote differently next election. That is, if there is a good candidate or two to vote for.

[Ricardo]

I refuse to watch any of his TV appearances. I didn't vote for him because he didn't, and still doesn't, have qualifications for the job of President of the USA....period. Looks like the "Chickens...are coming HOME...to ROOST! This man will go down as the biggest presidential disaster in the country's 200 plus year history. I'm waiting to attend my local Tea Party this year.

[Mike]

Obama came across as a wife beater. "Just stay with me, things will change. You'll see. It'll get better. I promise. Just stay with me. Please."

[Judy]

Thank God for Food TV network, so we could see something else to cook but pork!

[mary]

Obama is a smart man with socialist ideas and he is going to shove them down the American people's throat. Watch out, he is a grade A class warfare guy and when the camera scanned the crowd the puppet master was all smiles. that would be his cheif of staff.

[Bill]

Why watch, every time the president opens his mouth it costs me, you and future citizens money. I am truly disappointed in President Obams.

[elena]

Whenever a secretary tells Obama that he should meet with staff becasue there is a problem with the banks, his response is "I'm the President. Have you seen my polls? I'm taping 60 Minutes"

Then if she tells him to meet with staff becasue of the bonuses, his repsonse is "I'm the President. Have you seen my polls? I'm taping at ESPN"

Then if he is told there is a problem with illegal criminal aliens and he needs to meet with staff, he says "I'm the President. Have you seen my polls? I'm taping with Jay Leno"

How long will this fly???

[Joyness]

I also watched this BORING news conference and am amazed how these reporters give him SOFTBALL questions. Why not JUST ASK POINT BLANK ask a TOUGH QUESTION. The reporters certainly didn't let BUSH get by with softball questions. THEY HAMMERED HIM ALL THE TIME. This guy "Obama", loves to be on TV and he is SUCH AN ARROGANT person. While I was watching and listening last night (between naps), I felt like I was in a class at college and listening to a PROFESSOR. He was just BORING..... He has made this financial mess worse. GOD HELP US.

[LuvThatEconomy]

Please Mr. President, Stop jet-setting around the country, giving parties, making gaffes (on and off the Teleprompter), holding election - I mean - town hall meetings, and just DO YOUR JOB.

Your presidency is on track to be remembered chiefly as destroying our country's wealth, standard of living, sovereignty, and the American dream (as you mortgage our childrens' futures by your non-stop spending and printing of American dollars).

We don't want to hear you talk anymore. The Rock Star stuff is not cute. It's time for results. (Preferably the kind that don't continue to destroy our economy, thank you very much....)

[Fish]

And he said and extra 2 trillion added to the debt but he was looking at reducing the national debt by half in this term???? Whats he gonna do, finally stop the welfare payments to the illegals?