With the holiday season upon us, what better idea than to give the gift of news? The phenomenon is not new, of course. People have long ordered reprints of favorite front pages or photographs from newspapers.

But thanks to the advent of the cable news networks—with their emphasis on ratings-grabbing personalities—the 2006 edition of media gift stores presents a veritable holiday cornucopia of retail options. Many of cable news’ biggest stars have developed entire lines of merchandise, letting the viewer declare his or her allegiance to a favorite talking head with a mug, t-shirt or bobblehead bearing his name, face, or logo.

Herewith a PEJ sampling of some of the most noteworthy items available:

For that fan of the “Factor” on your list, Fox News has an impressive collection of Bill O’Reilly merchandise at the Fox News Shop. Java drinkers can show their solidarity with cable news’ top-rated prime time host in two ways – there’s a tumbler for on-the-go beverage toting and a curvy ceramic mug for at-home sipping. Both bear the “O’Reilly Factor” logo and cost $12.95.

The big item in the O’Reilly store, however, made for the serious fan, is probably the O’Reilly Factor varsity jacket. It rings in at $199.95. All together, between the goods stamped with the O’Reilly show logo and another set of goods tagged with the words “No Spin Zone,” we count 20 Factor items to choose from, including a Christmas tree ornament. Not Holiday, Christmas, okay.

Maybe you’re a big fan of CNN’s most heavily marketed prime time host. If so, the Anderson Cooper 360° store has you covered--from hats to pens. Some of AC’s couture is about more than simple promotion, it allows young folks who enjoy hip ringer t-shirts to encourage people to take action. “Hold People In Power Accountable” implores one. “Find The Facts” another urges. The back of each still bears the Anderson Cooper logo so passers by will know the wearer is one of the Coop’s legions and all for only $19.99.

After all those heavy holiday meals, you can work off some calories with the Anderson Cooper 360° Stayfit Personal Fitness Kit for $49.99. It comes with one pair of hand grips, one pair of .5 kg ankle weights, one pair of weight extensions, exercise band and jump rope with digital counter. The prematurely graying CNN host can’t match the size of O’Reilly’s audience and his inventory isn’t quite as large either. We found 14 items in the Cooper store.

If the person on your holiday gift list is an MSNBC fan, the pickings get slimmer. Maybe it’s the affiliation to a big broadcast network that has a lot of other things to sell or maybe it’s a sign of being third in the ratings, but MSNBC has almost no presence in the world of potential presents. Not to worry, though. The network’s breakout prime-time personality Keith Olberman is getting his own line of goods in the spring, we’re told.

Until then, you’ll have to make do with the NBC Store’s Don Imus collection. (The veteran radio talker is simulcast on MSNBC every morning.) This is pretty standard fare, baseball caps, t-shirts and mugs all bearing the “Imus in the Morning” logo and, of course, all in black. Prices range from $14 to $22 for the four items available.

If you’re willing to try out MSNBC’s cable sibling, CNBC, there are some more imaginative ways to represent. Hyperactive investment advisor and “Mad Money” host Jim Cramer has the usual t-shirt and hat both ringing in at $22. But true Cramer devotees may long for the $20 talking bobblehead – which calls out a variety of manic Cramerisms, including “buy, buy, buy” and “sell, sell, sell.”

As Jim would say (and the bobblehead does), “Booyah!”