"Fiscal Cliff Countdown Clock" - LOL - Designed to scare the #*!# out of Ya. (and sell a few more commercials).
Let's see, they could push up the ratings even more displaying a clock showing when the next person will be killed by a drunk driver. Or perhaps when the next teenage daughter will have unprotected sex. God forbid Ricky, Joe & Jim get wind of the asteroid set to pass near Earth April 13, 2023. Now, there's a really big clock. Let's hope Jon Stewart tries to talk some sense into these idiots before the hysteria gets out of control. (You'll recall he sat Cramer down & had a nice chat a few years back.)
Oh, the issue's real here. I posted a link, a transcript from PBS, on the issue many months back. Before it was front page news. Here's the link to that post from last March. (Noticed that Old Joe responded. Do hope all is well with him.)
http://www.mutualfundobserver.com/discuss/index.php?p=/discussion/2544/norm-ornstein-on-dysfunction-over-budget-and-perfect-storm-brewing#Item_3Rumors will continue to drive the markets and I'm a little overweight equities. Next time Boehner opens his mouth & uses the word "progress", markets will bounce & will be a good day to lighten up.
Article: Don't Fall for the Fiscal Cliff Hype
http://investorplace.com/2012/12/dont-fall-for-the-fiscal-cliff-hype-vix-wmt-cost-fb-tif-bbby/
Comments
Cramer and very, very annoying British reporter Simon Hobbs got into a whole thing last August where Cramer acted like he can't be a pollyanna ("...I learned my lesson, too: "You can't be as confident as you'd like.") again due to how much grief he took over Bear Stearns. I thought Cramer was going to deck him. There occasionally seems like a fair amount of tension on CNBC - especially Kernan and Sorkin in the morning, with a bored Kernan just lobbing insults at Sorkin while Becky Quick tries to be the disinterested referee.
Plus, you have some of the CNBC people on the "Today" show on weekend mornings, and it's ... kinda awkward. Or, better yet, "Squawkward."
In an attempt to try to be healthy, I've begun walking/exercise. I've walked over 50 miles in the last two weeks. Walking for a couple of hours a day is actually a far better way to ponder markets and strategy than sitting in front of CNBC (or even the computer.)
As for the attempt to be healthy, I just think health issues in the world are going to get to the point where enough people know someone close to them with a health/food related problem that you're going to see noticeable changes in the next 5-10 years in the way people eat. There's going to be so many people that people who aren't to the "problem" stage yet are going to look around and go, "****, I'd better change the way I eat/be more active, etc"
Yeay, I remember Gary saying some 10 years ago, that he always muted CNBC so he could focus on watching the tape. Didn't want to listen to any of the talking heads speaking from position.
However, what we need to keep in mind that the media themselves are a class of talking head speaking from position. Witness the last election and how everyone was hellbent on making it a tight race even it it wasn't. And this doesn't even mention the fleecing of the conservative right by their own conservative media machine. Geez, that was a brutal exercise in putting your privates out on the street so they could be run over repeatedlly. Here in Michigan, Matty Moroun spent $34M of his own to try and fight a bridge by pushing a constitutional amendment. He lost 2 to 1. teehehe
Nopers, the media has to do everything possible to capture eyeballs and stimulate interest even where none is deserved.
peace,
rono
What Went Wrong - - the Facts
CNBC is getting killed on the ratings. There is a death spiral as their appeal shrinks and they respond in a way that makes it worse.
CNBC Ratings Fall to 7 Year Lows
Squawk Box (6-9 a.m.) is supposed to prime traders before the bell. The show posted its lowest rated its time block since Q4 2006.
The Closing Bell (3-5 p.m.) is supposed to wrap up the day's action. The slot posted its fifth-lowest rating in total viewers and second-lowest ratings in the key 25-54 demographic since 1997.
Fast Money (5-6 p.m.) is focused almost specifically on swing trading stocks. That time slot showed the lowest rating for the 25-54 demo since 1997 - and lowest in total viewers since Fast Money launched in 2006.
This is merely a summary. It is actually even worse. Kudlow is losing to Lou Dobbs, etc. It is across the board.
I quit watching cnbc due to the graphics flashing accross the screen.
it made it difficult to watch or listen to the financial news. thanks to
all on MFO for the opinions and information to greatly help my investing
results.
REGARDS
circa33
They should concentrate on bringing business news and investment info for the 98%. There are far more regular investors than traders. If they only make programs for traders they will continue to lose audience.
Hoping you and yours are doing well. That time of the year again in your area and in Michigan for the ground to attempt to become frozen and covered with that frozen water stuff, eh?
Take care,
Catch
Hi catch22
truckers hauling sugar beets now. lowest temp so far is 17deg.
We are still using fidelity bond funds fagix, sphix fbndx etc. results
have been excellent for us.wife & me. Big birthday for me next year
thanx again for sharing your and others expertise. Hi to Skeeter, oj
sorry for a long off topic speech. still have 68.
REGARDS to all
circa33
Good points about ratings. I haven't watched Kudlow in ten years and haven't been able to hack Kernan for quite some time. Bloomberg is much better and besides, Morning Joe is more entertaining.
Peace,
Rono
Why would anyone subject themselves to this when Bloomberg Business News is available.
Hi Bob,
Hope you're doing well.
You're spot on. The panic and fear are the weapon of the conservative media AND the east coast media. How about the birthers and those that keep calling Obama a muslim. Listen to talk radio and it's all fearmongering.
And so it goes,
peace,
rono