I have a question for MSNBC viewers during this election season

[CajunBlazer]

I have seen many, many posts here on DU where MSNBC viewers are very critical of the network's coverage of the election. The question is: Why do you folks continue to watch that network?

I have no idea because I have never watched MSNBC - I have stayed away from it for the same reason I don't watch FOX News - though I am far more allergic to the latter. I simply don't want my news presented from an ideological point of view, but I am very curious as to the motivation of those who continue to to watch that channel.

From the posts here on DU it seems that a lot of progressives are addicted to MSNBC, even though hate that it is obviously adding more conservative content to try to attract a wider audience. Evidently an audience of just progressives is not working out financially for their bottom line. (I don't think that is going to work by the way because I don't think that CNN and Fox News viewers are going to switch, but that is a discussion for a different day.)

But why would people continue to watch shows and TV personalities that they complain about all of the time? Are they just watching out of habit? Or is it because they love to hate those shows and TV personalities?

Disclaimer: I am not trying to put anyone down. I just have a natural curiosity about why we human being behave as we do.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

1. 1) Viewers shouldn't consume their news from a single source any more than reporters should go...

...with a single source for their reporting.
2) I don't necessarily have a big problem with a source that has a slant to it as long as I'm aware what the slant is. I've subscribed to the Chicago Tribune for 35 years-- the reporting is top notch but I keep in mind they have a conservative filter that can sometimes drift outside the op-ed page.
3) I've personally defended Morning Joe over the years even though I detest both Joe and Mika. I like the format (it's very enjoyable when both hosts take the day off), the range of topics, and the apparent fact that the day's political memes seem to get their first trials there. Regardless what their overall ratings are, they seem to have the eyes and ears of the beltway players.

[Dem2]

2. I watch it all the time

I'm smart enough to be selective as to who I watch and when, just like everything else in my life.

I also flip to CNN when they're not behaving stupidly - the two networks take turns acting the fool.

Making broad-brush statements is foolish.

[DLCWIdem]

3. I can only speak for myself

There are a few good shows that I like on MSNBC like RM Rachel Maddow, Chris Hayes and Laurence O'Donnel. I Also enjoy Chris Matthews Hardball sometimes, and Joy Reid if I catch her. There are also a few shows that I don't like and don't watch like Morning Joe. As to CM I know he has some conservative guests lately but lets not forget all that he has done, because he has earned his stripes. He was one of the most outspoken critics of the Iraq war. He talked about Cheney and the 7 words, he was one of the first to look at Obama when he was first running in 2007. Finally, WHO was it that got Trump to cop to punishing women for abortion. Yes I disagree with him half the time but I think he tries to be fair.

During the primaries each of these had their biases out front and there were more complaints. I don't enjoy a commentator that agrees with my POV all the time because it becomes a echo chamber. Its okay to listen to others POV and get a spattering of what their thinking.

[LenaBaby61]

4. Why do you folks continue to watch that network?

I can honestly say that besides watching Joy-Ann and Lawrence, I haven't watched MSNBCRNCTMZ on a consistent basis since 2008. Friends who can still stomach watching people like Morning Joe and Andrea Mitchell tell me about what's going on over there, and no thanks. I have to admit that more recently, I have been tuning into CNN to catch their coverage because friends who watch them continually had been telling me that they had more recently been taking tRump on post him Rick-Rolling the media about a month ago with that faux-presser he gave which he never denounced his birtherism but promoted the opening of a new hotel , and up until this past month or so, I'd stopped watching CNN on a constant basis since about 2006.

[left-of-center2012]

5. I didn't like MSNBC when I supported Bernie

But now (that I support Hillary) I do like Joy Reid, Chris Hayes, Rachel, and Lawrence O’Donnell.

Sometimes I switch to CNN to watch Anderson Cooper. But he too often has Trump supporters on who constantly interrupt and talk over other panel members.

[CajunBlazer]

6. Interesting responses so far

[JaneQPublic]

7. My big complaint is it's not as liberal as it used to be.

Under previous management, it seemed the channel aimed to be the liberal's source for news and opinion -- viewpoints often given short shrift elsewhere in TV news.

Now, MSNBC has many more GOPer guests and network analysts, along with show hosts like Joe Scarb and Mark Halperin. I'll listen to these opposing views as long as they're rational and fact-based, but once they begin telling lies or nonsense, it's time to change channels. I'm still miffed we lost great liberal hosts like Alex Wagner, Ed Schultz, Melissa Harris Perry, KO, etc.

So, as much as I admire the outstanding current progressive hosts, such as Rachel, Lawrence, Joy, & Chris H, many of the right-leaning ones just seem like interlopers on our turf.

[spiderpig]

8. I'm glad to see Lawrence O'Donnell getting some props here

I always look forward to his level-headed yet forceful perspective, and he's not afraid to lower the hammer.

[DanTex]

9. I watch Rachel, Chris, and Chris, and find them smart and informative.

It annoys me that they have Trump surrogates on there, but I have a mute button for that. When there are no Trump people on there, they are good.

I also think that the people they have covering the actual campaigns (Katy Tur, Kasie Hunt, etc.) do very good reporting. And the Halperin Heilemann show is watchable sometimes though a bit gimmicky.