CNN vs. CNBC: Celebrity Anchor Deathmatch - News Briefs

Industry Standard, The, June 4, 2001 by Eric J. Savitz

After a brief foray into the hazardous world of Internet content with Space.com, Lou Dobbs is back at his familiar post anchoring CNN's daily business-news program Moneyline. Dobbs takes over a franchise that has lost some of its luster -- and more than a few of its viewers -- to CNBC. So far, audiences have greeted his return with a collective yawn: Ratings for Moneyline have been sagging after an initial jolt.

Perhaps viewers would rather hear about the market's ups and downs from CNBC starlet Maria Bartiromo. Which to watch? Here's a guide.

                  LOU DOBBS
  Now Seen On     CNN's Moneyline
     Attire       Suits, good for interviewing the
                  suits.
    Commute       Works in Manhattan. Lives on New
                  Jersey horse farm.
     Awards       CNN says he's won "nearly every
                  major award" for TV journalism.
     Roots        Country boy: Born in
                  Idaho, raised in Texas.
  Connections     Buddies with CNN founder
                  Ted Turner.
  Ethics Issue    Taking criticism for
                  deal to give speech to
                  Ford Motors for $30,000.
    Nickname      Not the kind of guy
                  who has nicknames.
  Goofy Stock     Not the kind of guy
Market Indicator  who serves as a goofy
                  stock-market indicator.
  New-Economy     No signs of Space.com
 Victimization    IPO; startup has had
                  two round of layoffs.
                  MARIA BARTIROMO
  Now Seen On     CNBC's Market Wrap, Street and
                  Market Week
     Attire       "Chanel-laden," says Harper's Bazaar.
    Commute       Works in Fort Lee, N.J. Lives in
                  Manhattan.
     Awards       1997 award for excellence
                  from Coalition of
                  Italo-American Association
     Roots        City girl: Born in
                  Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.
  Connections     Wedding guests included
                  Martha Stewart and
                  Barbara Walters
  Ethics Issue    Writes column for Individual
                  Investor, magazine run by
                  hubby Jonathan Steinberg.
    Nickname      Money Honey, Econo
                  Babe, Stock Babe.
  Goofy Stock     Maria Bartiromo Market
Market Indicator  Hairdex: Web site claims
                  her changing hairstyle
                  can predict markets.
  New-Economy     Steinberg's Individual
 Victimization    Investor Group trades
                  for 36 cents a share
                  on the Nasdaq and
                  faces delisting.