Listen Live
Donate
 on air
    Schedule

    KCRW

    Read & Explore

    • News
    • Entertainment
    • Food
    • Culture
    • Events

    Listen

    • Live Radio
    • Music
    • Podcasts
    • Full Schedule

    Information

    • About
    • Careers
    • Help / FAQ
    • Newsletters
    • Contact

    Support

    • Become a Member
    • Become a VIP
    • Ways to Give
    • Shop
    • Member Perks

    Become a Member

    Donate to KCRW to support this cultural hub for music discovery, in-depth journalism, community storytelling, and free events. You'll become a KCRW Member and get a year of exclusive benefits.

    DonateGive Monthly

    Copyright 2026 KCRW. All rights reserved.

    Report a Bug|Privacy Policy|Terms of Service|
    Cookie Policy
    |FCC Public Files|

    Back to The Spin-off

    The Spin-off

    New Shows Losing Viewers Faster & the Media and Trump

    Why are viewers flirting with new shows but failing to commit? Then, we talk about the media's role, or not, in Donald Trump's rise from reality star to presidential front-runner.

    • rss
    Download MP3
    • Share
    KCRW placeholderBy Michael Schneider • Mar 17, 2016 • 34m Listen

    We take a look at some of the numbers from this television season -- it's no surprise that that ratings are down, but it's interesting to see which shows are losing viewers the fastest. Newer shows, even big ones, are having a tougher time holding on to an audience, while older shows seem to have stabilized.

    Then we talk about a place where ratings are way, way up -- that would be any network broadcasting a GOP debate. In their combined years of covering television, no one on The Spin-off has ever seen anything quite like the media's reaction to Donald Trump. We discuss why that is, and when and if the networks ever have a responsibility to pull the cord on a public figure, even when they're doing wonders for the ratings.

    End of show Downloads:

    Sandra:The People vs. O.J. Simpson continues to be compelling, can't miss television, even if you know what's going to happen.

    Joe: Samantha Bee is redefining TBS's comedy brand with her show Full Frontal. Joe's only complaint is that it's only on once a week.

    Mike: Emmy season is upon us! Well, sort of. Networks are starting to campaign earlier than ever, and this year, thanks to some rule changes, there will likely be more digital shorts and series in the mix.

    • KCRW placeholder

      Michael Schneider

      Senior editor at Variety

    • KCRW placeholder

      Josef Adalian

      Vulture

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Kaitlin Parker

      Producer, 'The Business' and 'Hollywood Breakdown'

    • KCRW placeholder

      Sandra Gonzalez

      CNN Entertainment / CNN Money

      Culture
    Back to The Spin-off