Obama Talks About Something, America Just Wants To Dance

FOX was the only broadcast network not to air President Barack Obama‘s health care-focused prime time news conference last night, instead choosing to stick with the original programming: So You Think You Can Dance.

So, you think you can guess which network won in the ratings?

Yes the overnight numbers show FOX was the clear winner at 8pm.

The program averaged 7,293,000 total viewers, while the combined number for ABC, CBS and NBC’s news conference broadcast came in around 16.5 million total viewers. NBC was first in that category, with 6,375,000, ABC had 5,834,000 and CBS 4,278,000. All three networks grew in viewers at 9pm.

This isn’t exactly surprising. FOX made the same choice last time, and won as well. But the more it happens, the less likely broadcast networks will be willing to give up their valuable air time (sans commercials). Especially with a fairly unexciting topic like health care.

FOX has the luxury of airing it on its top cable news outlet, Fox News. So does NBC (with MSNBC), which played hardball earlier this week until the White House agreed to move the presser to 8pm. Could ABC and CBS say ‘thanks, but no thanks’ in the future?

There will be no bigger sign of the Obama honeymoon’s conclusion than when Obama steps to the podium, and the broadcast networks stick with crime dramas, reality shows and sitcoms.

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