MSNBC on top. NYT reporter swings low. Kinzinger on understatements.

MSNBC scored a rare ratings victory on Tuesday, propelled to number one as all three major cable news networks took the January 6 committee hearing live.

From 9:00 am to a little after 1:00 pm, MSNBC averaged 1.48 million total viewers and 158k in the demo.

Fox’s ratings dropped during coverage of the hearing. For example, in the 10 am hour, Fox got 835k total viewers and 107k in the demo, and in the 1 pm hour, the network got 993k total viewers and 140k in the demo.

Overall in daytime (9 am to 4 pm), MSNBC averaged 1.34 million total viewers and 152k in the demo. CNN came in second overall with 1.19 million total viewers, but first in the demo with 211k. Fox News came in third with 946k total and 131k in the demo.

Fox continued to take the top spot in total day numbers, with 1.36 million viewers and 204k in the demo. MSNBC came in second with 1.23 million, followed by CNN with 843k. MSNBC and CNN were in a close race for second place in the demo, with CNN narrowly winning out with 168k to MSNBC’s 165k.

In prime time, Fox won with 2.43 million viewers overall and 347k in the demo. MSNBC came in second with 1.64 million total and 264k in the demo. CNN came in third with 834k total and 201k in the demo.

The most-watched show Tuesday, with 3.01 million, and 449k in the demo, was.... [Read More]

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A New York Times reporter has deleted her tweet from earlier this week calling supporters of former President Donald Trump “enemies of the state.”

“Today’s [hearing] underscores the America’s current, essential natsec dilemma: Work to combat legitimate national security threats now entails calling a politician’s supporters enemies of the state,” posted Justice Department reporter Katie Benner on Tuesday in a now-deleted Twitter thread as the select committee hearing investigating the January 6 Capitol riot was underway.

“As Americans, we believe that state power should not be used to work against a political figure or a political party. But what happens if a politician seems to threaten the state? If the politician continues to do so out of office and his entire party supports that threat?” she continued. “The dilemma was unresolved by the Russia probe and 2 impeachments. With many Republicans denying the reality of the Jan. 6 attack, I doubt the #January6thCommittee will resolve it either. That leaves it up to voters, making even more essential free, fair access to the polls.”

Later on Tuesday, Benner tweeted, “I deleted unclearly worded tweets regarding the Jan 6. committee hearing.”

She offered no apology.

Not just over the line or irresponsible, but written in the same tone and words that Donald Trump would use.

No apology and a gimme to critics, who were numerous. Not a winning moment.