[Ray]
After more than two years of covering the presidential campaign, Americans say they are “mentally exhausted” and that political news is the last thing they want to watch. Americans say they need a break, and based on TV ratings, they’re watching.
A new AP poll conducted this week found that 65% of Americans say they need to limit their media consumption of politics, including 72% of Democrats, 63% of independents and 59% of Republicans.
This is higher than the number of people who want to reduce other topics including foreign conflicts (51%), the economy (45%), and climate change (42%).
Ratings reflect a desire for less money — since the election, prime-time viewership has fallen 54% on MSNBC and 45% on CNN. Fox stock rose 13%.
In an interview with the Associated Press, 45-year-old Ziad On Allah of San Diego summed up why he stopped watching:
I felt like they spent all this time talking about the election. They make it so their focus that when the main event is over, why would people want to keep watching?
Viewers are also upset because they don’t like the product, which they describe as superficial and one-sided and makes them feel like they’re being yelled at.
Here’s what people say that will keep them coming back –
Start talking about the issues and stop talking about Trump
Get both sides and do more research
Although getting a better product can be difficult, all three news outlets have cut staffs and budgets in recent years, and the remaining staff are trying to figure out how to fill the same 24-hour cycle with fewer resources.
