CNN Town Hall Draws

CNN Town Hall Draws High Viewership, While New Media Platforms Gain Popularity

CNN's Trump Town Hall had 3.12M viewers but faced criticism. Steven Crowder's online stream surpassed CNN's, reflecting a shift in news consumption.

Geno Giovanni 5.11.23

Did you watch the Town Hall broadcast last night on CNN?

The channel scored (a much-needed) 3.12 million viewers, who tuned in to watch Presidential Candidate Donald Trump. However, the viewership numbers were not without controversy, as some left-leaning audience members, including prominent politicians like Sandy Cortez (aka AOC), expressed dissatisfaction with CNN's decision to host the event. Despite the criticism, CNN still attracted significant viewership.

The winners of the night were not limited to CNN alone.

Donald Trump emerged as a winner. He voiced his opinions [in front of] his supporters, voters, and even [his] adversaries.

Additionally, Steven Crowder, the host of the political and cultural comedy show "Louder With Crowder," gained attention. Through his YouTube channel and his new home on Rumble, Crowder's live stream of the Town Hall garnered over two million viewers, surpassing CNN's online stream.

This amount of viewers would not be the first time Crowder has achieved such high viewership. During the 2020 election night, his coverage attracted over 8.1 million views within 24 hours.

These trends in media consumption reflect a shift towards new media platforms and a growing rejection of traditional news outlets like CNN and MSNBC. Social media and messaging services have become crucial; sources of news for many people, particularly younger generations.

Millennials and Gen Z individuals rely heavily on social media and a wide range of sources for news. The decline in newspaper usage and national newscast ratings further solidify this shift.

While viewers seek both new knowledge and trustworthy news, trust in traditional news sources is declining. Biased news coverage and perceived political influence have contributed to this erosion of trust.

News organizations must embrace transparency, acknowledge biases, and focus on quality reporting to rebuild trust with their audience. Journalists and news [publications] must distinguish between news and opinion. Additionally, news consumers should pay attention to the quality and accuracy of reporting.

Nielsen Fast National data revealed that CNN attracted 3.12 million total viewers and 703,000 viewers in the "key 25-54 age demographic".

However, CNN's primetime ratings in March 2023 experienced a significant decline of 61%, marking the steepest drop among the major cable news networks. Fox News Channel saw a 27% decrease, while MSNBC's viewership dropped by 12% compared to the previous year.

Steven Crowder's impressive viewership on new media platforms highlights the growing popularity of online streaming. Crowder's commentary during the CNN Town Hall on YouTube and Rumble outperformed CNN's online stream, positioning him as a prominent figure in the new media landscape.

In conclusion, the high viewership of the CNN Town Hall, coupled with the growing popularity of new media platforms, signifies a shift in news consumption patterns. Viewers are [increasingly gravitating] toward online sources and are more critical of traditional news outlets. Trust, transparency, and quality reporting are crucial for news organizations to adapt to these changing dynamics and regain audience confidence.

Sources:

Geno Giovanni Presents is a production house with a focus on content creation for businesses to elevate their brands.

“This is why you rarely hear us go after MSNBC…no problem at someone says where they line up. I don’t. The biggest problem I have to turn coat, betrayers, people claim to be something they are not…” Steven Crowder

Book Appointment

We use cookies to improve your experience and to help us understand how you use our site. Please refer to our cookie notice and privacy policy for more information regarding cookies and other third-party tracking that may be enabled.