Axios: Trump slump hitting media, per top news execs

[Laura PourMeADrink]

https://www.axios.com/trump-slump-hits-big-media-89fd334f-2d6d-4190-9d1a-aad15904c391.html

Top news executives tell Axios that a real "Trump slump" is hitting digital, cable and more.

Why it matters: The shock factor around President Trump's unplanned announcements, staff departures, taunting tweets and erratic behavior is wearing off, and media companies are scrambling to find their next big moneymaker.

Driving the news: Executives tell Axios that Trump fatigue is very real: Interest in political coverage overall is down, which is spurring investments in other beats, like technology and the global economy.

Democrats don't appear to be the lifeline media companies are hoping can fill the gap for diminished Trump interest. Executives say they expect this week’s debate ratings to be nothing like the ratings for the 2016 Trump debates.

More at link

[comradebillyboy]

1. The media companies loved Trump because he was good

for ratings and page clicks. They are desperately seeking the next trending thing.

[Dennis Donovan]

2. There was a time when the Big 3 network's respective news divisions were money-losers

...and they were fine with it because news was considered a PUBLIC SERVICE. Cronkite, Howard K Smith, Frank Reynolds (not the DeVito one ), Huntley and Brinkley; all would be walking off sets in today's television news environment (but would be anchor zombies because they're all dead ) .

This used to be an actual thing, a long time ago: