I read this last night (thanks for forwarding, Cara), but it’s all over the papers this morning:

http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/01/cnn-fires-sanchez-after-critiqu-of-stewart/?hp

First, I have to confess that I never cared for Sanchez’ program or his persona on the air (Jon Stewart was onto something in his piece that aired Monday).  Second, maybe CNN will try something really radical now…like presenting an actual newscast in the afternoon.  Third, unfortunately, that’s unlikely.

I really don’t understand (well, I do, but I don’t like it) why CNN can’t rest on the huge profits it makes with its international service and settle for less-than-stellar ratings while presenting old-fashioned journalism instead of trying to get into the opinion game.

Having a brand that means solid reporting and fair coverage will reap ratings benefits every time disaster strikes, which is too often.  Right now, the CNN brand feels compromised to me by Sanchez’ frequently inane show and the new one that debuts Monday night with Elliot Spitzer and Kathleen Parker.

Enough already.