Americans say they need break from politics as viewership declines: Poll

[Ray]

After more than two years of Presidential campaign coverage Americans say they’re, “Mentally exhausted” and that political news is the last thing they want to watch. Americans say they need a break and based on the cable ratings, they’re following through. 

A new AP poll out this week found that 65% of Americans say they need to limit their media consumption of politics, that includes 72% of Democrats, 63% of Independents and 59% of Republicans. 

That’s higher than the number of people who want less of other topics including overseas conflicts (51%), the economy (45%)  and climate change (42%). 

The ratings reflect the desire for less – since the election, primetime viewership is down 54% on MSNBC and 45% on CNN. Fox is up 13%.

In an interview with the AP, 45 year-old Ziad Aunalla from San Diego summed up why he’s no longer watching – 

“I felt they spent all this time talking about the election. They made it so much of their focus that when the main event ends, why would people want to keep watching?”

Viewers are also tuning out because they don’t like the product, which they describe as shallow and one sided and made them feel like they’re being yelled at. 

Here’s what people say would get them to tune back in – 

Start talking about the issues and stop talking about Trump 

Get both sides and do more research 

Although getting a better product may be difficult – all three cable news outlets have cut staff and budgets in recent years, and the remaining employees are trying to figure out how to fill the same 24 hour cycle with less resources.