Rick Sanchez uses Hurricane Gustav Twitter Conversations to Secure New CNN Show

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As Hurricane Gustav was threatening New Orleans this week, CNN reporter Rick Sanchez used social media to secure a new show.

Rick setup his own Twitter account @ricksancheztvz and was on TV reporting on Gustav and answering “tweets” from viewers. Live from the hurricane zone, Rick was the highlight of CNN Newsroom‘s hurricane coverage.

Rick’s social media efforts were so successful that CNN gave him his own social media focused show called Rick Sanchez Direct. According to one of Rick’s recent tweets, the show will “play off” what he’s been doing online with social media sites like Twitter and Facebook.

Cam Twitter = TV Ratings?

But can Sanchez transform Twitter engagement into ratings? Initial indications are very promising. Here’s a look at the ratings:

• CNN Newsroom (Saturday): Most watched and highest rated of all newscasts on all networks during that time period.
• CNN Newsroom (Saturday): The most-watched CNN program of the day for the P25-54 segment with 602,000 average viewers.
• The#1 cable program in its time period: CNN Newsroom (Sunday, 11pm).

The first episode of Rick Sanchez Direct airs September 8, 2008 at 3pm on CNN.