Pew Research Center

FOR RELEASE MARCH 19, 2009

State of the News Media 2009: Cable TV

While many sectors of the mainstream news media struggled, in 2008 cable shined. CNN, Fox News and MSNBC all gained viewers, were projected to see record profits, and expected to increase spending on newsgathering and bureaus around the world. CNN even launched a wire service to compete with the Associated Press.

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Pew Research Center, March 2009, "State of the News Media 2009: Cable TV"

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State of the News Media 2009: Cable TV

While many sectors of the mainstream news media struggled, in 2008 cable shined. CNN, Fox News and MSNBC all gained viewers, were projected to see record profits, and expected to increase spending on newsgathering and bureaus around the world. CNN even launched a wire service to compete with the Associated Press.