As Twitchy previously reported, Brian Stelter was not happy after Ted Koppel informed him how CNN now depends on Donald Trump to maintain any kind of ratings:
AWKWARD! Ted Koppel dropped a BIG reality nuke (about Trump) on CNN and Brian Stelter did NOT like it https://t.co/6Loj6rmXex
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) October 3, 2018
It was fairly brutal:
Video: To consternation of @BrianStelter, Ted Koppel contended during 10/1 Kalb Report @PressClubDC: “You would be lost without @realDonaldTrump. CNN’s ratings would be in the toilet without Trump.” Stelter: “Ted, you know that’s not true. You’re playing for laughs.” #NPCLive pic.twitter.com/XGZl9yNzqh
— Brent Baker (@BrentHBaker) October 3, 2018
Koppel’s remark must still be stinging, because late this morning Stelter circled back to the comment with an attempt to cable news-splain to the 25-year anchor of ABC News’ “Nightline” program:
I admire Koppel, but I think the cable news biz is a lot more complex than he makes it seem. Ratings rise, ratings fall. Stories come, stories go. It's important to cover Trump and it's important to cover what comes next. https://t.co/GViF1ffb6p
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) October 3, 2018
Maybe Stelter can share that with Koppel at the next media event the two attend to see how he responds.
Problem is you don’t “cover trump” you trash trump. “Cover” would mean you cover the good and the bad. You Only cover the bad so it’s not really “coverage”. And yes, That has an impact on ratings!
— I am Speed ?? (@RacingLambos) October 3, 2018
Yes ratings fluctuate. But, If your ratings drop 30%-40%. You are all gone. Sorry, but Ted owned you on this one.
— Jack Larkin (@jack_larkin) October 3, 2018
How can you simultaneously cover him 24/7 and state he has no effect on the network’s ratings?
— eldond (@eldond12) October 3, 2018
Stelter accepted all the help he could get:
I too am a Koppel fan, BUT I am also a CNN fan. I think you guys have a team of reporters and anchors who are compelling and superior at what they do, If they did not have Trump, they would cover all the rest, as they do now. Weather, politics econ, etc. Sorry Ted, can't agree.
— Ted David (@teddavid) October 3, 2018
well said!
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) October 3, 2018
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