"Latino In America" Not The Ratings Hit "Black In America" Was

CNN's "Latino in America" received a lot of attention, particularly from observers interested in the discord between the special and Lou Dobbs' perceived anti-immigration stance.

The attention wasn't enough to make it a ratings hit, however.

The two-part special, which aired Wednesday and Thursday nights from 9-11 PM, drew significantly fewer viewers than the summer's "Black in America," and led the network to third place in both total viewers and the A25-54 demographic both nights.

Wednesday night, "Latino in America" drew an average of 1,007,000 total viewers and 293,000 A25-54 viewers. That's down 45% in total viewers from the debut episode of July's "Black in America," which averaged 1,991,000 total viewers, and down 67% in the demo (from 894,000).

CNN averaged 880,000 total viewers and 253,000 A25-54 viewers Wednesday, coming in third behind Fox News (2,860,000 total; 826,000 A25-54) and MSNBC (977,000 total; 273,000 A25-54).

Thursday's Part II averaged 848,000 total viewers and 268,000 A 25-54. That's down 40% in total viewers from the second part of "Black in America," which averaged 1,406,000 total viewers, and down 60% in the demo (from 569,000).

CNN averaged 749,000 total viewers and 196,000 A25-54 viewers Thursday, coming in third behind Fox News (2,682,000 total; 749,000 A25-54) and MSNBC (944,000 total; 287,000 A25-54).

Comments

[Brian Ross - Huffpost Blogger]

I think that CNN is waiting for the big lift from "Mung in America" which might actually top their "Lap in America" series.

[joelwisch]

It is staggering that so many bullets are flying around the New Jersey countryside. That would be something to consider if you are buying a home in that area. But there it was.. a bullet 'thapping' in from some place a distance away from the Dobbs' residence.

Lou Dobbs considered the constant telephone threats, the bullet, and called the New Jersey State Troopers who are supposed to be pro's on bullets hitting the house. Most here, AND Chuckles, the New Jersey State Trooper, have ignored the Mexican Mafia. It is very reasonable to assume someone in the dissapointed crowd would dearly like to see the bullet find the mark.

But the Mexican Mafia is in the mix of threats, and when Chuckles, the New Jersey State Trooper, answered the call and laughed at Mr. Dobbs, he probably increased the threat of assignation against Mr. Dobbs. One of the millions of idiots with guns in the New Jersey countryside fired that gun, or it actually was a threat. It is possible in the mix that the Mexican Mafia was involved, and that next time, it will be a .223 fired by a pro. Chuckles and the New Jersey State Troopers should be braced.

[jjfaux]

Many Latinos in this country do not speak English and have to watch the dubbed version on CNN en espanol, not exactly the type of thing worth watching dubbed. A large number who speak English still live primarily in Spanish and are probably more likely to be watching Spanish language tv. Or
since many are hardworking immigrants, they are probably working and not spending hours on end in front of the tv.

Finally, not all Latinos are so big on the idea that they are a separate race. Many are fully European and look white, while many others are heavily European in origin and don't look much different than a Southern European. White Latinos are probably more integrated into the US population and perhaps not as interested in watching the show like blacks may have been since they are obviously a more visible minority.

[socialtalker]

soledad o brien, jeez.
this is like 80 years ago inthe film industry when the filmmakers hired the real light skinned women instead of the brown and black skinned women for everything representing black. now instead they just hired someone with a black grandparent that they represent black folks. i am fed up with this nonsense.

[BackFromParadise]

Why is it that people who have a problem with Black History month don't seem to have a problem with St patricks day? Or chinese heritage month?

I mean you'll be upset that a race always brings up the racist history america has when it's the only history they know. Throughout the entire time blacks have been in this country they've been dealing with racism and you're upset that it's ever brought up. Would you prefer that blacks pretend they don't have any history at all? So that you can feel better?

[chulanow]

Soledad O'Brien doesn't have much credibility with the Latino community.­........as soon as we knew she would be doing the story......we made sure NOT to watch.

[buddhistMonkey]

CNN has zero credibility on Latino issues. Lou Dobbs has permanently poisoned that well.

[bigkay]

Hello, Lou Dobbs wife is Latino.

[Martha12]

There are only 2 words, for the reason folks are NOT tuning in to Latino in America:

..........­..........­..........­..........­..........­..........­..........­.......LOU DOBBS.....­..........­..........­..........­..........­..........­..........­..........­..........­.

[EndRacismNow]

I disagree. When you come to a country that offers media in your native language most people would tune in to that media. Why would you want to watch a bunch of gringos speak in English when you can watch Univision?

[Berkeleylefty]

Short answer... money...
Univision, Telemundo see an opoortunity to make money broadcasting in Spanish... now are they perpetuating the status quo by allowing people to not speak or understand English? Perhaps...
Business want money... whether it comers from whites, hispanics, asians, blacks... they don't care, if they see an opportunity they'll take it, that is why the "press 2 for Spanish" option in the phone is here to stay... Is that patriotic? Is that Anti-American? Who knows? It is just business, long term effects? Univision might still be aronud 15 years from now... and leading in the local news ratings for every market they broadcast...

[Martha12]

CNN......IS broadcasting it in Spanish ..........­......DUH!

[misspoptart]

You are so right, Martha...

[chulanow]

Lou Dobbs doesn't have that much power...........as Latinos we refuse to elevate him to that position.

[SlimPickins79]

when do i get my special? white in america, the trials and tribulations of the anglo

[EndRacismNow]

Lol. You won't get it because pandering to white folks is racist. Only specials that focus on the victimization and differences of the downtrodden minority are allowed.

[AfroLatina21]

why am I not surprised you think that way

[EndRacismNow]

CNN's pandering to different racial and ethnicity groups just helps to keep people divided and feel different from the rest of the country. If CNN is going to pander they need to pander to everyone including whites. But I guarantee a 'White in America' special would be shot down as racist.

[Berkeleylefty]

For the last 200+ years the mayority of media (printed, spoken, broadcast an electronic) in the U.S. has been predominately Christian white-oriented.

In the last few decades, U.S.citizens of other races and beliefs are asking... why are we not up there on the screen? CNN produces a couple of specials about a few of these groups and you start asking, why are there no specials about whites? Minorities in the U.S. have over 200 years to go to even catch up to the volume of programming, media, books, poems, records, vinyl, 8-tracks, cassettes, 78, 33 and 45's, wax cylinders, CD's, commercials, print ads, mazazines, catalogs, newsletters, and more.. that have been produced featuring whites only. And yet you still ask how come they don't make any specials about whites? White media is the default setting for media production in the country, with a few minorities sprinkled in...in the name of equality...

[misspoptart]

"White media is the default setting for media production in the country, with a few minorities sprinkled in...in the name of equality..."

Berkelylefty, you are so right!

[AfroLatina21]

Well I watched both...since I'm black and Latino.

I was more disappointed with Latino in America...they seemed to touch on the same sad topics and they really didn't show the diversity in the Latino community, seems they mainly focused on people of Mexican descent.

[EndRacismNow]

The term 'Latino' should be considered offensive. It just lumps all sorts of different people together as if they were one people. When in reality they have very different cultures, different backgrounds and speak many different languages. South America is a mixture of indigenous people and descendants from Africa and Europe.

[FanofPaine]

Well, you could definitely say that about the terms "black" and "asian" and "american indian" (there are thousands of tribes and they're all just lumped together?) and even "white" so that won't work. We're human beings and we crave labels.

[condor101]

CNN needs to Fire that racist Lou Dobbs.

[tibetanterrier]

I don't need CNN to show me 'Latinos in America' I see them everyday..I sometimes drive 15 miles just to hangout, eat and come home w/some groceries. I've learned how to make my own tortillas

[patches36]

As a gringo ,happily married to a wonderful " hot tamele" wife and mother for over 20 years we were intrigued to see the acomplishments and some trials of all of those people . However living a hard working middle class life in San Diego, none of that seemed out of the orderairy for us here and we expect, the rest of the country

[daemos1]

Well, Latinos are the original Americans

[tibetanterrier]

What?

[harriettubman]

I don't THINK so. Where did you get your history book? You need to read "Lies My Teacher Told Me." about real American history.

[2NOIR4U]

daemos one, I think what people forget is that South Americans are considered Americans as well as Central Americans. We citizens of the United States seem to think that we are the only ones who can be referred to as Americans, when our Central and South American neighbors have just as much right to the term as well. If you mean the United States, then say so otherwise get clarification for which americans are being discusse.