Thought this was interesting because it parallels how the stock markets are higher even though the physical economy data gets more challenging.
It is alleged that the recent higher viewer ratings of CNN & MSNBC is a lot of the same viewers going back and forth between both stations.
Their ratings in reality are probably worse than they appear. More to reality is perhaps these viewers are consolidating.
They can charge their advertiser more since the data still shows higher views.
Let's also point out that even through they have higher viewers they are still far bellow their competitors.
V the Guerrilla Economist pointed this out in a recent interview.