New York Times columnist David Brooks recently delivered a sharp critique of cable news networks, pointing to their over-politicized content as a key factor in the decline of viewership.
His comments, made during a panel discussion on PBS NewsHour, highlighted what he believes to be a shift in American mindsets, driven in part by the excessive politicization of news coverage.
Brooks, who is known for his moderate stance, expressed satisfaction with the dropping ratings of progressive networks like CNN and MSNBC. “I’m thrilled by the decline in viewership for political news,” he said, citing the exhaustion Americans feel from constant political content.
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This decline, according to Brooks, reflects a broader societal shift where people are no longer turning to television for a sense of belonging or righteousness, which they should be finding in their personal relationships rather than in politics.
The discussion came after PBS host Lisa Desjardins pointed out that the word of the year chosen by the program was “exhaustion,” a term that seemed to resonate with viewers who were tired of the hyper-politicized nature of the media.
Brooks went on to blame identity politics, a prominent feature on networks like CNN and MSNBC, for exacerbating the political divide and driving away viewers.
As cable news networks, particularly CNN and MSNBC, struggle with declining ratings, the rise of streaming platforms has added to their challenges.
CNN’s viewership has dropped by 46 percent since the election, according to The Wall Street Journal, with the network’s prime-time audience plummeting from 5.1 million viewers to just 419,000.
Similarly, MSNBC has seen a 55 percent drop in prime-time viewership, averaging only 603,000 viewers from November 4 through December 15, as per Nielsen data.
Brooks, who has long been a critic of left-wing politics, used his platform to suggest that the media’s focus on identity politics, especially after the 2020 election, had alienated a large portion of the American population.
“We’re over-politicized in this country,” he remarked, suggesting that political discussions had become too focused on finding righteousness in political stances rather than in personal or social relationships.
In a surprising turn, Brooks also offered a critique of the progressive left’s failures, calling for a dose of humility.
“For those of us who oppose Donald Trump, we should be chastened because of the plurality of the American people thought we were wrong,” he stated.
He extended this humility to those who supported the European social welfare model, asserting that this system was “falling apart.”
Brooks did not hold back in his praise for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, noting that Netanyahu’s actions in taking down Hamas, Hezbollah, and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad should be recognized.
He added, “If you hated Bibi Netanyahu, you should be a little chastened.” Brooks concluded with a call for more humility, stating, “There’s a lot of reason for humility at the end of this year.”
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New York Times columnist David Brooks recently delivered a sharp critique of cable news networks, pointing to their over-politicized content as a key factor in the decline of viewership.
His… pic.twitter.com/qpvzgtnrUy
— RVM News (@redvoicenews) December 30, 2024
Meanwhile, MSNBC’s coverage, particularly through the voices of hosts like Rachel Maddow and Joy Reid, continues to push a progressive narrative.
Reid, in particular, has faced backlash for her comments about the Latino vote, specifically targeting Latino men who voted for President Trump in the 2020 election.
Reid’s divisive remarks framed their votes as a betrayal, calling out Latino men for their support of Trump’s immigration policies, including deportations.
In response to the declining ratings, MSNBC has already made significant adjustments, including slashing pay for its top talent.
Rachel Maddow, in particular, saw a reduction of $5 million in her contract after agreeing to stay with the network for another five years.
Bill O’Reilly explains why NBC is dumping MSNBC and ABC will be dumping The View next.
Rachel Maddow has already taken a $5 million pay cut on MSNBC.
Expect to see much more defunding of the activist shows.pic.twitter.com/EnVId29puR
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) November 22, 2024
Reports also indicate that MSNBC’s new CEO, Mark Lazarus, is considering incorporating more conservative voices into the network to address the shift in viewer preferences.
CNN, meanwhile, is facing significant financial pressures, with rumors of impending layoffs following the departure of several high-profile personalities.
Both CNN and MSNBC continue to dominate the airwaves with progressive opinion programming during prime-time slots, while right-wing hosts like Laura Ingraham, Jesse Watters, Sean Hannity, and Greg Gutfeld are consistently drawing larger audiences, averaging 2.8 million viewers in the same timeslots.
The declining ratings of progressive news outlets and the rise of conservative voices on cable news reflect the growing division in how Americans consume news.
As streaming continues to gain ground, traditional cable networks face a tough road ahead in adapting to changing viewer preferences.
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