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CNN, MSNBC Neck-And-Neck During Alex Murdaugh Testimony

BNM Staff
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The most prominent court case within the past year on a national scale has been the double murder trial of former lawyer Alex Murdaugh in South Carolina. Prosecutors accused Murdaugh had shot and killed his wife Maggie and their youngest son Paul as a distraction from his financial crimes including the years of allegedly embezzling millions of dollars from clients.

The case’s turning point was a Snapchat video posted by Paul just minutes before his death that placed his father Alex at their residence, the site of the crimes. This led to the defendant testifying on Feb. 23rd and 24th to explain his whereabouts.

On the first day of coverage of his testimony, it was a neck-and-neck battle between CNN and MSNBC, according to Nielsen Media Research. CNN’s eight hours (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) averaged 722,000 viewers while MSNBC’s four hours (10:45 a.m. thru 4:40 p.m., with several breaks in between) drew a similar figure in total viewers, 719,000; demo-wise, based on adults 25-54, CNN (122,000 average) bested MSNBC (70,009).

Although Fox News Channel checked in on the trial throughout that day on Feb. 23, Nielsen only tabulated the 5:00-5:32 p.m. portion of its coverage. Because it aired in the regularly highly viewed time slot for FNC, it delivered the largest total audience and demo of the day on cable news for Murdaugh: 2.68 million total viewers including 258,000 within the key 25-54 demography.

This was also around the time each CNN and MSNBC had peaked in ratings. From 5-6 p.m. ET, CNN posted 889,000 viewers (179,000 adults 25-54); from 3:45-4:40 p.m. ET, MSNBC averaged 961,000 viewers (101,000 adults 25-54).

Fox News offered more extensive coverage on the following day (Feb. 24), devoting nearly five hours of the trial as Murdaugh was being cross-examined by the prosecution. Again, they led their cable news competition averaging 1.51 million total viewers (210,000 adults 25-54). On this day, MSNBC’s 4+ hours (783,000) outdrew CNN’s 7 hours (677,000) in total viewers but CNN still bested MSNBC in 25-54, 122,000 to 110,000, respectively.

Cable news averages for February 20-26, 2023:

Total Day (Feb. 20-26 @ 6 a.m.-5:59 a.m.)

  • Fox News Channel: 1.334 million viewers; 167,000 adults 25-54
  • MSNBC: 0.689 million viewers; 72,000 adults 25-54
  • CNN: 0.462 million viewers; 88,000 adults 25-54
  • HLN: 0.167 million viewers; 43,000 adults 25-54
  • CNBC: 0.116 million viewers; 29,000 adults 25-54
  • Fox Business Network: 0.113 million viewers; 13,000 adults 25-54
  • The Weather Channel: 0.104 million viewers; 18,000 adults 25-54
  • Newsmax: 0.087 million viewers; 7,000 adults 25-54

Prime Time (Feb. 20-25 @ 8-11 p.m.; Feb. 26 @ 7-11 p.m.)

  • Fox News Channel: 2.088 million viewers; 255,000 adults 25-54
  • MSNBC: 1.060 million viewers; 95,000 adults 25-54
  • CNN: 0.521 million viewers; 106,000 adults 25-54
  • HLN: 0.241 million viewers; 61,000 adults 25-54
  • CNBC: 0.200 million viewers; 56,000 adults 25-54
  • The Weather Channel: 0.117 million viewers; 19,000 adults 25-54
  • NewsNation: 0.093 million viewers; 15,000 adults 25-54
  • Newsmax: 0.091 million viewers; 9,000 adults 25-54
  • Fox Business Network: 0.065 million viewers; 12,000 adults 25-54

Top 10 most-watched cable news programs (and the top programs of other outlets with their respective associated ranks) in total viewers:

1. The Five (FOXNC, Wed. 2/22/2023 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 3.239 million viewers

2. Tucker Carlson Tonight (FOXNC, Wed. 2/22/2023 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 3.184 million viewers

3. The Five (FOXNC, Mon. 2/20/2023 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 3.174 million viewers

4. Tucker Carlson Tonight (FOXNC, Thu. 2/23/2023 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 3.163 million viewers

5. The Five (FOXNC, Tue. 2/21/2023 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 3.119 million viewers

6. Tucker Carlson Tonight (FOXNC, Mon. 2/20/2023 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 3.093 million viewers

7. Tucker Carlson Tonight (FOXNC, Tue. 2/21/2023 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 3.060 million viewers

8. The Five (FOXNC, Fri. 2/24/2023 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 3.012 million viewers

9. The Five (FOXNC, Thu. 2/23/2023 5:32 PM, 28 min.) 2.906 million viewers

10. Tucker Carlson Tonight (FOXNC, Fri. 2/24/2023 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 2.822 million viewers

20. Rachel Maddow Special (MSNBC, Mon. 2/20/2023 9:00 PM, 60 min.) 2.403 million viewers

160. The Lead With Jake Tapper “Murdaugh Trial” (CNN, Thu. 2/23/2023 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.889 million viewers

382. Kudlow (FBN, Thu. 2/23/2023 4:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.352 million viewers

395. Forensic Files (HLN, late Mon. 2/20/2023 12:00 AM, 30 min.) 0.321 million viewers

409. Fast Money Halftime Report (CNBC, Thu. 2/23/2023 12:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.299 million viewers

447. Real Time With Bill Maher “Episode 625” (repeat) (HBO, Fri. 2/24/2023 10:00 PM, 57 min.) 0.256 million viewers

533. Weird Earth “(306) Celestial Body And Imploding Mount” (TWC, Sat. 2/25/2023 2:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.207 million viewers

650. Newsnation Prime (NWSN, Sat. 2/25/2023 7:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.164 million viewers

Top 10 cable news programs (and the top  programs of other outlets with their respective associated ranks) among adults 25-54:

1. Tucker Carlson Tonight (FOXNC, Tue. 2/21/2023 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.449 million adults 25-54

2. Tucker Carlson Tonight (FOXNC, Mon. 2/20/2023 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.429 million adults 25-54

3. Tucker Carlson Tonight (FOXNC, Thu. 2/23/2023 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.400 million adults 25-54

4. Tucker Carlson Tonight (FOXNC, Wed. 2/22/2023 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.391 million adults 25-54

5. The Five (FOXNC, Wed. 2/22/2023 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.355 million adults 25-54

6. Hannity (FOXNC, Tue. 2/21/2023 9:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.351 million adults 25-54

7. Gutfeld! (FOXNC, Tue. 2/21/2023 11:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.349 million adults 25-54

8. The Five (FOXNC, Tue. 2/21/2023 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.335 million adults 25-54

9. Hannity (FOXNC, Thu. 2/23/2023 9:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.320 million adults 25-54

10. Hannity (FOXNC, Wed. 2/22/2023 9:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.312 million adults 25-54

38. Rachel Maddow Special (MSNBC, Mon. 2/20/2023 9:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.222 million adults 25-54

72. The Lead With Jake Tapper “Murdaugh Trial” (CNN, Thu. 2/23/2023 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.179 million adults 25-54

166. Shark Tank “Shark Tank 1101” (CNBC, Mon. 2/20/2023 11:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.119 million adults 25-54

174. Forensic Files (HLN, Tue. 2/21/2023 10:00 PM, 30 min.) 0.117 million adults 25-54

375. Weather Channel Live “Live Coverage: Severe Storms” (TWC, Sun. 2/26/2023 10:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.065 million adults 25-54

425. Real Time With Bill Maher “Episode 625” (repeat) (HBO, Fri. 2/24/2023 10:00 PM, 57 min.) 0.058 million adults 25-54

546. Kudlow (FBN, Thu. 2/23/2023 4:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.044 million adults 25-54

676. Newsnation Prime (NWSN, Sat. 2/25/2023 7:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.031 million adults 25-54

Source: Live+Same Day data, Nielsen Media Research

NPR Scores Big at iHeartPodcast Awards

BNM Staff
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The 2023 iHeartPodcast Awards were held Tuesday night, and several news podcasts took home awards.

The New York Times podcast The Daily won the Best News Podcast Award. The Michael Barbaro hosted podcast is consistently ranked in the top 5 most-listened-to podcasts on Apple Podcasts, and The Times is currently working on launching an additional daily news podcast titled The Headlines.

Also nominated for Best News Podcast were NPR’s Up First, Crooked Media’s Pod Save America, Vox Media’s Today, Explained, and The Daily Wire’s Morning Wire.

The Best Political Podcast Award went to NPR Politics Podcast. That show defeated The Ben Shapiro Show, Sharon McMahon’s Here’s Where It Gets Interesting, iHeartPodcast’s The Daily Zeitgeist, and Pod Save America.

NPR’s Planet Money took home the award for Best Business & Finance Podcast. It took defeated challengers like NPR’s The Indiciator, iHeartPodcast’s Earn Your Leisure, Wondery’s How I Built This with Guy Raz, and Bloomberg’s Odd Lots.

Additionally, former New York Times podcast host Kara Swisher was honored with The Pioneer Award. She has since moved on to launch her podcast On with Kara Swisher with Vox Media.

AM 560 The Answer’s Dan Proft Accused of Breaking Illinois Campaign Finance Laws

BNM Staff
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AM 560 The Answer’s Dan Proft Accused of Breaking Illinois Campaign Finance Laws

A report from the Chicago Tribune claims the Illinois Democratic Party filed a complaint with the state board of elections alleging that AM 560 The Answer morning host Dan Proft failed to disclose $1.2 million in contributions to his political action committee.

People Who Play By The Rules — the PAC formed and operated by Proft — spent tens of millions to prop up Republican governor candidate Darren Bailey in the 2022 Illinois governor race.

The complaint filed by the Illinois Democrats alleges that Proft committed “one of his most egregious” violations by failing to share the committee’s financial records.

“Mr. Proft is keenly aware of the disclosure requirements found in the (law),” the complaint read. “He has served as the chair and treasurer of several political committees spanning more than a decade and has been the subject of multiple matters before this board. And yet, Mr. Proft appears to have again completely disregarded the (law).”

The campaign finance reports shown by the committee show a deficit of $1.2 million, claiming it spent $18.6 million while only raising $17.4 million.

“While a PAC can incur more in obligated expenditures than it receives in contributions (as long as it properly discloses the debt), it cannot expend more funds than it receives in contributions unless it has received a loan or other receipts,” the complaint continued.

According to the Tribune, Illinois state election law requires campaign finance records to include the names and mailing addresses of everyone who contributes more than $150, with contributions of $1,000 or more requiring a report within five days.

The newest charge is the latest in a string filed against Proft. Just before the 2022 election, the state Democratic Party alleged the PAC operated by Proft violated election laws by coordinating directly with Bailey. Proft is also accused of sending items through the mail that mimicked newspapers that included material labeled as “disinformation” about incumbent Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

Pat McAfee Reportedly Considering Ending FanDuel Partnership

BSM Staff
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Would Pat McAfee really leave eight figures on the table? Andrew Marchand of The New York Post reports that the former NFL punter is seriously considering terminating his deal with FanDuel, which currently pays him more than $30 million per year.

Marchand cites both sources and evidence that a breakup is in play. Earlier this week, McAfee declared that it was “up to something season” on his show. It is a term he uses when teasing a new opportunity. He did not give any details other than saying what he has been discussing would be a major step.

This comes on the heels of a social media post in which Pat McAfee openly pondered his future with a number of his media partners. In that post, he wrote that he and the new executives at FanDuel “don’t necessarily have the same philosophical views on stuff.”

He clarified that there are no hard feelings, but the company has “a different way of operating these days.” The New York Post points out that the FanDuel logo has disappeared from videos of The Pat McAfee Show in recent weeks.

According to Marchand’s sources, McAfee would not leave FanDuel with his crew unless he knew where they would land. He has had discussions in the past with Amazon. Marchand speculates that with the recent addition of Sunday Ticket, Google and YouTube may be interested in ramping up its own NFL content. That would put that tech giant in play as well.

Pat McAfee is a star many networks want to work with, but it is hard not to think some may be getting wary. Leaving FanDuel early would be part of a pattern. McAfee has also terminated deals with Barstool, DAZN, and Westwood One in the past.

But the potential likely outweighs the concerns. McAfee has a loyal audience and he knows how to make headlines. Case in point, on Wednesday, football fans that have never consumed an episode of McAfee’s show before will be rushing to find it to hear what Aaron Rodgers has to say about his future.

FanDuel signed a four year deal with McAfee at the end of 2021. In total, the deal is worth more than $120 million.

Dan Mandis: Chris Hayes Tried to Help Karine Jean-Pierre During ‘Disastrous’ Interview

BNM Staff
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Dan Mandis: Chris Hayes Tried to Help Karine Jean-Pierre During ‘Disastrous’ Interview

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has been a frequent target of attacks — both from the left and the right — for her handling of the White House press corps. Add SuperTalk 99.7 WTN morning host Dan Mandis to the list of her detractors.

Jean-Pierre was interviewed by MSNBC host Chris Hayes, which ultimately led to a discussion on the Biden Administration’s immigration policy, and a rumored return to family separations at the border. Jean-Pierre refused to answer a question on the matter, which caught the attention of Mandis.

“Anybody notice the media is really starting to turn on Cringe (sic) Jean-Pierre?” Mandis asked. “She did this interview on MSNBC and it was really, really bad. It was so bad that even folks on the left started to go after her.”

After his initial question to Jean-Pierre, Hayes attempted to clarify the answer given by Jean-Pierre by asking directly why she wasn’t refuting a claim that a return to family separation was possible if the policy wasn’t on the table.

The Nashville’s Morning News host argued that Hayes was trying to give Jean-Pierre an extra chance to clarify, which he claims she failed to do.

“This was on very friendly MSNBC,” Mandis said. “She’s in the midst of this interview with Chris Hayes, and he’s over there at MSNBC and he’s clearly grasping at straws because he’s upset that progressives are upset that this policy could be returning. He seems a little befuddled that when she says she wants to be very clear, she’s anything but. He tried a second time to get some sort of an answer to get out of the White House Press Secretary.”

Jay Weber: Listeners Hear What They Want to Hear

BNM Staff
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Jay Weber: Listeners Hear What They Want to Hear

There’s a usual refrain when it comes to news radio and podcast listeners, and 1130 WISN’s Jay Weber believes it’s true.

During The Jay Weber Show, the Milwaukee host was discussing the recent January 6th footage released by Tucker Carlson, and the reaction to it by Congressional Democrats. Weber accused Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) of wanting to “kill off Fox News” after the Senator rebuked the network and Tucker Carlson’s encapsulation of the events.

Weber said Schumer only heard what he wanted to hear from Carlson, which is something he has experienced in hs long history as a radio host.

“As someone who has done a three or four-hour radio show for 30 years, this happens routinely: people hear what they want to hear or internalize what they want to internalize,” Weber said. “I cannot tell you how often a listener will react to something I said by totally misconstruing it. They’ll hear what they want to hear.”

He continued by arguing that Schumer doesn’t have an issue with other news outlets because it feeds him what he wants to hear.

“He has never called on MSNBC or CNN to be shut down as ‘dangers to democracy’ or The View to be shut down as a danger to democracy, and trust me, more idiotic and incorrect things have come out of Joy Reid or Joy Behar’s mouths before the first commercial break — on any given day of those shows — than Fox got wrong on dominion.”

Charlie Kirk Threatens Lawsuit Against Sacramento Bee After Column Calls Him Fascist, Advocate For Transgender Violence

BNM Staff
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Conservative radio host and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk has threatened legal action against the Sacramento Bee after the newspaper ran a column claiming Kirk called for the “lynching of trans people”.

The genesis for the column came as Kirk’s “Live Free Tour” made a stop at UC-Davis Tuesday evening, which eventually saw protesters break windows outside the event.

The column — written by Bee opinion assistant Hannah Holzer — claimed that Kirk had openly called for harming trans people, which he has vehemently denied.

While promoting the story on social media, the Bee said “Another fascist speaker is coming to UC Davis” and added “Charlie Kirk has called for the lynching of trans people, a comment that should warrant the cancellation of his speaking engagement at UC Davis”.

In response, Kirk said “this is defamation and libel” on Twitter. “We will sue unless it is corrected. Left wing rags like the SacBee are allowed to platform lies against conservatives and get away with it. Time for lawfare.”

Kirk later shared a purported screenshot of an email from Sacramento Bee opinion editor Marcos Breton that said the outlet was “publishing a revised column which we think will address your concerns”.

The Turning Point USA founder added that “if anyone gets hurt tonight SacBee played a prominent role”.

He also threatened legal action against UC Davis Chancellor Gary May, who released a video before the event claiming that the college was aware of many were unhappy with Kirk’s appearance at the school, saying Kirk had a well-documented history of misinformation and hate, and “advocated for violence against transgender individuals”.

“I’ve never done that. That is a lie. We might sue you for that,” Kirk said.

Rich Zeoli Pushes Back On Idea FCC Should Have Authority To Shut Down Fox News

BNM Staff
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Rich Zeoli Pushes Back On Idea FCC Should Have Authority To Shut Down Fox News

In a recent interview, Dean Obeidallah, a SiriusXM host, inquired with Karine Jean-Pierre, White House Press Secretary, whether Congress should grant the FCC authority to close Fox News down due to its behavior exposed in the Dominion defamation case’s highly popularized documents.

According to The Wrap, Jean-Pierre told Obeidallah any entity that identifies itself as a news organization should uphold the responsibility of presenting the information.

“And in the best way that I can answer it is even Fox News leadership, in their depositions, say, as I was being asked about the Tucker Carlson show, that it’s not news or truthful,” added Jean-Pierre. “And I think that tells you everything that you need to know. When the leadership says that, I think that tells you everything you need to know, and I’ll leave it there.” 

Philadelphia radio host Rich Zeoli questioned Monday why the U.S. government was taking a position on shutting down media outlets and asking what was interpreted as factual and what was not. 

“Who makes that decision (who’s truthful),” stated Zeoli. “Is that the Ministry of Truth who decides who is truthful and who is not? If you go outside the lines of that, does the government shut you down?” 

Dominion Voting Systems has filed a $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit against Fox News for perpetuating former President Donald Trump’s false claims about the 2020 election being rigged.

Rich Zeoli hosts The Rich Zeoli Show from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT.

Candace Owens, Brandon Tatum, Charlie Kirk Merge Activist Groups

BNM Staff
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Candace Owens, Brandon Tatum, Charlie Kirk Merge Activist Groups

Conservative activist group Turning Point USA has announced a merger with BLEXIT, the urban outreach nonprofit founded by Candace Owens and Brandon Tatum in 2018. TPUSA co-founded and led by Charlie Kirk, will provide resources, staff, and infrastructure to enhance BLEXIT’s outreach efforts. 

“Candace and Brandon are two of the most influential conservative Americans in the country, full stop, and TPUSA is thrilled and honored to be part of their vision for transforming and empowering urban communities,” Kirk said in a statement. “TPUSA was the incubator for some of the ideas that gave birth to the BLEXIT vision, and we’ve celebrated from afar what Candace and Brandon have achieved. Now we get to lend some of the resources, staff, and infrastructure we’ve built at TPUSA to build on that foundation.”

According to The Daily Wire, the organizations aim to empower people to embrace freedom, faith, and family values. Tatum expressed excitement about the new opportunities this could bring to the black community, while Owens emphasized the importance of empowering minorities to view themselves as victors, not victims. BLEXIT has 44 state chapters, 14,000 volunteer members, and over 60,000 supporters. 

“Charlie and I have known each other for a long time. And we’ve been discussing our shared goals and visions for this country — to empower people — to embrace freedom, and value faith and family. We both realize that we are stronger together,” Owens said of the merger. “By joining together, we believe this will be a force multiplier for both BLEXIT and TPUSA.”

BLEXIT promotes its core values through live events, grassroots organizing, and educational initiatives. Owens has recently exposed the multi-million dollar “grift” of the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation and its former Executive Director, Patrisse Cullors, in a documentary called “The Greatest Lie Ever Sold.” Despite criticism from the media and left-wing figures, Owens continues to reject race-based narratives and advocate for individual empowerment.

“Since the beginning, BLEXIT has been about reaching more people who need to see themselves as victors, not victims, empowered, not oppressed,” Tatum added. “If just a small fraction of the black community in America catch the vision, we can change the entire country.”

“TPUSA was the incubator for some of the ideas that gave birth to the BLEXIT vision, and we’ve celebrated from afar what Candace and Brandon have achieved. Now we get to lend some of the resources, staff, and infrastructure we’ve built at TPUSA to build on that foundation,” added Kirk. 

Chicago Reporter Relives Finding Out Jussie Smollett Attack Was Fake In Fox Nation Documentary

BNM Staff
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FOX Nation has released a new docuseries titled “Jussie Smollett: Anatomy of a Hoax” that delves into the elaborate plot to stage a hate crime on the actor in 2019. The five-part series features Emmy award-winning journalist Rafer Weigel, who covered the story while working as an anchor for Chicago’s Fox 32 at the time of the incident. 

In the first episode, Weigel shares his reactions to the news of the alleged attack and how he confirmed with a Chicago police representative that the story was false. 

According to a FOX Nation press release, Smollett claimed in January 2019 that he was attacked on a Chicago Street by two men who shouted, “this is MAGA country,” while beating him and putting a noose around his neck. However, after a thorough investigation, the Chicago police discovered that the attack was staged and that Smollett had hired the Osundairo brothers to carry out the crime.

Weigel recalls when he first heard about the story while at city hall and how reporters reacted skeptically, agreeing that it never happened. He also shares his surprise when a Chicago police representative on the record told him that the story was false, a departure from the usual neutral statements given by public relations officers for various police departments.

“I do my newscast that night, and I go home, I called one of the public information officers in the City of Chicago at 10:45 at night. He answers his phone,” said Weigel. “And I said, what’s the deal with that Jussie Smollett story? “He goes, oh my God; it’s a bunch of bulls—t, it never happened. He told me to tweet that Chicago Police are taking this very seriously but that we’re skeptical.”  

The docuseries further explores the details of the planning and execution of the fake crime, as well as the aftermath and unraveling of the truth. Smollett was later found guilty and sentenced to five months in jail, in addition to paying $120,000 in restitution and a $25,000 fine to Chicago.

“The fact that a public information officer went on the record and said we’re not buying it made my jaw hit the floor,” Weigel said. 

Weigel expresses shock at how many news outlets initially reported the story as truth, despite evidence to the contrary. He also shares his experience of receiving personal attacks and hate speech on social media after tweeting what the police representative had told him on the record. 

“I woke up the following day, and my Twitter was filled with hate speech and personal attacks. Blacks Lives Matter activists, people going after me,” he said.

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