I'm curious, am I the only one here who really doesn't watch any of these cable news shows?

[LynneSin]

Don't get me wrong, I have alot of respect for folks like Keith Olbermann, Rachel Maddow, Ed Schultz, etc. etc. etc. I'll even watch their shows during election returns or big news stories because these are some of the best talk show hosts out there. I mean when I do watch them I usually always agree with them but then again I should - I'm a progressive myself.

But for day-to-day viewing, I'm not really into it. Perhaps because I never got cable until about 10 years ago and by then I was 30 years of using other sources to find the news either thru reading the Newspapers or other not-as-slanted news sources. Generaly I go to NYTimes & Washington Post for the news, News Journal for the local news (Wilmington DE) and check the headlines in LBN here at DU to see what else is hot.

My opinions were formed decades ago. I was a progressive thinker even before I could vote in an election.

Anyone else not really watch these shows?

BTW whether or not you watch these shows doesn't make any of us better than other progressives. I'm always happy to see the shows get great ratings (usually always better than previous quarter). I also expect progressive talk show hosts to be held accountable when they make clearly dumbass comments (like the Ed Schultz one of recent).

[treestar]

1. I never watch them

I just don't have the patience. I can find out what is happening quicker by reading.

[LynneSin]

6. That's exactly how I feel

Geez, I can't sit down for 4-5 hours every night and watch these shows back-to-back-to-back. I suspect these shows are like beer - everyone has their favorite they go to first and a backup incase that one isn't available (meaning I doubt there are few that watch all of these). But even an hour seems too long for me, but that's just my 2 cents.

It doesn't make us any less informed, just means we go elsewhere for our news.

[damntexdem]

28. The only one left worth watching is Rachel Maddow.

We'd have to switch cable carriers to get Keith O when he starts again.

[LuvNewcastle]

2. Nope -- don't have cable.

It's nice and quiet around here.

[LynneSin]

7. I wish I could get rid of cable, but I love "True Blood" too much to cancel it now

I'm thinking after True Blood is cancelled, probably in 3 years or so, I'll get rid of most of cable.

[LuvNewcastle]

38. I haven't seen "True Blood."

If it's about vampires, I'd probably like it, but I don't miss what I've never seen. There are a couple of shows I catch every now and then (I have an antenna) and my favorite among them is "Fringe." Everything's in reruns now, though, so I've been doing a lot more reading.

[LynneSin]

42. That's the thing - I really didn't miss it back when I didn't have it

But now that I do, there are some things I'm not ready to give up.

Sad isn't it?

[murielm99]

23. Me either.

I have Tivo for some network shows.

I watch C-Span in the gym or on my computer, if I know there is something compelling going on.

I don't want to take the time to sit there and listen to their bias.

[hfojvt]

50. exactly, that's why I voted "others"

Not sure how much respect those millionaires deserve either.

[Capitalocracy]

3. I don't get MSNBC.

here in Argentina. Funny enough, I do get Fox.

[notesdev]

4. I don't even have a TV

don't watch these shows or any other

If something really interesting happens on one, I can watch it later on YouTube

[JuniperLea]

5. I never watch them...

I refuse to pay for cable. I have NetFlix and PBS. I paid for cable for years, until I realized I only really watched PBS. I can get all the cable news displayed here... sometimes with video links to the most important parts! Why waste my time when DU does all the heavy lifting for me?

:D

[EFerrari]

8. Never. n/t

[Lone_Star_Dem]

9. I don't watch them.

I used to, but they lost their appeal for me years ago.

[nosmokes]

10. I can't stand being shouted at. I watch Rachel pretty regular, but to hell w/ the

rest of the lot, regardless of their spin. Stewart and Colbert are more fun anyhow.

[Courtesy Flush]

18. Ed is a good example.

He might be saying stuff that needs to be said, but I wouldn't know, because his delivery seems to be modeled after the RW blowhards. I can't watch him.

[wtbymark]

11. Havent had cable for 15 years now

I will watch a couple local newscasts per week. Absolutely refuse to watch the national evening news on any station, its disgusting.
- I build television stations

I like RT lately, when something happens

[iris27]

12. Last time I watched a cable news show was last summer when I was in a hotel on vacation.

Rachel was the most interesting thing on at the time. And I did find myself thinking, "I should watch her more often." (Though a bit of that was because I think she's hot. .:evilgrin:)

But at home for day-to-day entertainment, I have Netflix and non-cable TV. I could probably find these shows at Hulu or the MSNBC website, but I just never find myself seeking them out.

I tend to get my news online, and my analysis here and from Stewart/Colbert.

[LadyHawkAZ]

13. I don't watch

Boyfriend likes History Channel and Discovery. Sometimes I give it half an ear. Mostly not. That's the extent of my TV viewing.

[taterguy]

14. Cable news is an oxmoron

Don't watch just because I'm too cheap to pay for cable.

Stay 'informed' by watching TDS and Colbert report on Hulu.

[Courtesy Flush]

15. Sorry, but Rachel Maddow is great.

Honestly, I really don't need an hour of politics every day, but I like to watch Maddow from time to time, and I find her to me an outstanding spokesperson for the Left, and for good sense in general.

My wife is a conservative, and she tolerates Rachel pretty well. I try to respect her preferences, and not watch too much left wing stuff when she's there, and she returns the favor. But when Rachel is on, she does pay attention, and I think it's sinking in.

[LynneSin]

17. I think she's wonderful too

I just don't have an hour every night to dedicate to her.

But when the stories are hot I will watch her. She did great election returns back in 2008 - she looked great against Pat Buchanon, who she was reguarlly paired with during the election returns.

[Courtesy Flush]

21. Her tsunami coverage was very thoughtful and intelligent nt

[LynneSin]

35. Just about anything she covers is thoughtful and intelligent

To be honest, I always liked her alot more than Keith Olbermann. Keith is good but sometimes his ego gets to be a bit too much for my liking. If I do watch just one show I usually pick hers first.

[EFerrari]

24. I watch Rachel in other venues.

I burned out on that format years ago.

[Rhiannon12866]

16. I do because it allows me to keep up on things.

I can't always see them and I feel like I'm missing something. I particularly like Rachel and Cenk. She explains even the most complex issue so clearly that anyone can understand it and he continues to speak out as much as he does on TYT. :)

[w8liftinglady]

19. I don't have cable.

[scarletwoman]

20. Nope, I don't even have TV anymore - and I never had cable even back when I did have TV.

Minnesota Public Radio and the internet suffice for my media needs/wants. Plus the newspaper in the break room at work.

[seabeyond]

22. stopped listening to media oct 2004. nt

[Tace]

25. Never Watch

Once in a while I'll watch a youtube clip of a funny John Stewart or Colbert segment, but that's about it.

I consider just about everything that comes out of a TV these days to be poisonous. BTW, I have a college degree in broadcast journalism.

[slackmaster]

26. I tried to watch Rachel a couple of evenings ago but couldn't stomach it

She was pasting the faces of various men on some kind of two-dimensional scale having something to do with sex scandals in politics.

I couldn't make myself give a flying fuck, and switched to some other mindless entertainment.

[ErikJ]

30. That was a great piece.

She summed up all the Family Values hypocrite scandals quite well.

[slackmaster]

40. Her "See what hypocrites those nasty Republicans are!" schtick jumped the shark years ago

For me.

[ErikJ]

27. I watch Fox News too.

Cable news shows is the only TV I watch except for occasional docs of interest and CNBC biz. I like to watch their spin of the hot topics especially Cenk Uyger and Rachel show. I like the graphics and stats he/they give which I try to write down for my blog. I DVR them and so skip the commercials or the topics that bore me. I sometimes like to watch what FOx is reporting too as i like to keep up with their propaganda.

On the other hand, I havent watched a sitcom or any serial TV episode in years.

[LynneSin]

37. You have a stronger stomach then I do

I watch exactly one sitcom and one serial - 30 Rock and True Blood.

I'm kinda avoiding picking up any new shows to watch. I'd like to think after those shows end I'm getting rid of cable.

I have never watched one epside of CSI/NCIS: Law & Order whatever they are called.

[ngant17]

29. cable tV isn't worth the money

so I don't watch it. I don't even watch TV now. My digital converter box (the ones the gov gave away before running out of money) which hooked up to my older analog TV, it just died so I'm out of a TV for the time being. Hardly miss it at all. Too many commercials anyway.

Might consider satellite radio in the future. At least you get to pick and choose with their plan.

[kentuck]

31. I don't usually watch them..

I listen to them in the background while reading DU.

[madrchsod]

32. i listen to the radio shows....

and i really miss listening to rachell

[ErikJ]

34. Me too-Hartmann is a daily ritual.

[Maru Kitteh]

33. I don't go in for little personality cults either.

I like as little opinion in my news as possible, which is hard, but it's why I stay away from MSNBC in general. Too heavy on the personalities and opinion shows, WAY too light on the actual news coverage.

[Raine]

36. I watch MSNBC. I have it on all day up till

after ED goes off at 8:00pm (pacific time) then I turn on other programming. Sometimes I don't pay much attention, it's basically just background. It depends on the subject how much I listen.

[Wilber_Stool]

39. Only when something is

on fire or ready to blow up.

[Igel]

41. No cable.

And I couldn't stand the talk shows when I did get cable.

I don't much like talking heads.

Shouting heads and mocking heads? Nah.

[Codeine]

43. I get my news from the Beeb and newspapers.

Cable news shows are fucking useless.

[Motown_Johnny]

44. I watch Rachel all the time, I only watch the others a little now and then

and mostly online after people here are talking about a particular segment.


Keith's leaving changed my viewing habits.

[Obamanaut]

45. We don't get a teevee signal in any form - antenna, cable, dish, etc. We

watch movies/programs from the library and netflix,.

And, we have dial-up, so you-tube is out as well.

[Initech]

46. All I watch are Stewart and Colbert.

[joshcryer]

47. What the fuck is going on with this poll?

This poll is *not* reflective of the *daily* media-fueled threads here on DU. Either the daily media-fueled threads are a small subset of loud individuals who are indeed TV media watchers, or the poll is reflecting people who simply don't comment on a daily basis, either way it's not reflective of the daily narrative on DU.

I have not had cable in 15 years.

[LynneSin]

52. I think we all watch bits & pieces of these shows even it it's clips here at DU or other spots

And we are supportive that there is some counterbalance to Faux news.

But I can't imagine anyone watching these shows every night all the time - how would you get anything else done during the day.

[JNelson6563]

48. Don't even have cable

[sufrommich]

49. I watch them when something interesting is going on,but

not every night. I can't take all news all the time.

[alcibiades_mystery]

51. I have cable, but I find them all boring and useless

I might watch one or two if a particularly big event happens (I watched a couple after Osama bin Laden was killed), but I almost never do otherwise.

Better to read a book.

[MilesColtrane]

53. Never watch

I don't have cable.

[Hosnon]

54. I try to catch Rachel every night. However, I've grown less and less fond of her

style.

[driver8]

55. I never watch them. I watch very little tv, and it is easier to look online for info. n/t

[barbtries]

56. i watch videos

from the video forum here on youtube, or elsewhere. until quite recently i watched maddow in the morning while preparing for work. but i'm sick of her now. she has some speaking affectation, some thing about how she begins a sentence, some thing that keeps her from getting straight to saying what she's saying, that bugs me. so do the fracking commercials that run on the web version of her show, a lot. don't need to see her bantering with michael steele, and am disenchanted that she's so damn enchanted with politics for the hell of it. i want to see more news that relates to what is really going on in this country.

so i put other.

[Common Sense Party]

57. No cable, no time, no interest.

I don't like echo chambers, right or left, anyway.

[Rebubula]

58. OJ Simpson

I stopped watching any TV news programs after the OJ circus. I was tired of the media attempting to tell me what was important.

The world is filled with sheep that volunteer their servitude without question or even the understanding that they are being used.

I will not be one of them. Unless my wife wants me to be.... :evilgrin:

[Aerows]

59. I haven't even owned a TV for over 10 years

I watch things very selectively. Hell, I'm mad about being forced to watch advertising through youtube or other videos.

Not owning a television was the best thing I ever did for myself.

[brooklynite]

60. By the way, how's Al Jazeera doing?

Back when Egypt blew up, it was said that "they" were keeping AJE off American cable TV networks, and a real audience was out their for their programming. Their feed has been available online for months; how many people are -honestly- watching it on a regular basis?

[kick-ass-bob]

61. I watch Rachel every now and then

at most once every couple weeks, but just because I have a lib-crush on her. :D

[DFab420]

62. I only watch Rachel.

I <3 Rachel

[leftynyc]

63. I only watch Rachel

and I tivo it. I watch it as I'm getting ready for work the following morning. All the others I can live without. So breaking news and Rachel are the only reasons for cable news as far as I'm concerned.

[LoZoccolo]

64. I don't have cable.

And I rarely ever turn the television on. I think I've done so maybe two or three times in the past year and a half.

You just don't hear that much of substance when you have three people on talking over each other, and one of them basically logjamming the whole discussion by throwing out so many falsehoods and manipulative tricks that to knock them down and get back to serious discussion would take longer than the time alloted anyways.

I have watched online clips of Thom Hartmann a few times and I generally like a lot of what he says and find it insightful, though, and I did like a lot of the Keith Olbermann special comments, and I've liked a lot of what I've seen from Rachel Maddow as well. But as far as these programs that try to be "balanced", the conservative side tends to poison the well and prevent real discussion, so it seems not to be worth it.

[IDemo]

65. No cable or dish

And if my cellphone were any dumber it would have a crank on the side.

[canoeist52]

66. Nope, no cable - just internet.

[Liberal_in_LA]

67. I watch periodically

[Zoeisright]

68. I watch Rachel and Jon Stewart. Period.

[meow mix]

69. its much better than the alternative viewing..

i like to watch tv and theres absolutly nothing else to watch.

battlestar galactica replay.. is starting this saturday on BBC however. yaaaay

[Wait Wut]

70. I watch by osmosis.

My husband watches them. I'm on my computer with the TV behind me.