What was the aftermath of the "See It Now" episode on McCarthy?

The aftermath of the "See It Now" episode that focused on Senator Joseph McCarthy was marked notably by the senator’s response in which he charged Edward R. Murrow and his team with unpatriotic behavior. This reaction stemmed from McCarthy's concern over the way he was portrayed in the broadcast, which critically examined his methods and accusations during the Red Scare. By labeling Murrow as unpatriotic, McCarthy attempted to deflect the scrutiny that the episode brought to his aggressive anti-communist campaign, framing it as an attack on American values rather than a legitimate critique of his actions. This response was part of a broader political strategy that McCarthy employed to maintain his influence and control over public perception by portraying himself as a defender of patriotism against what he claimed were infiltrators within American institutions.

The other options suggest outcomes that did not take place: ratings for McCarthy did not notably rise after the episode, Murrow was not banned from CBS, and there is no evidence that the show attracted more sponsors in response to the episode's critical content. These alternatives reflect a misunderstanding of the impact that critical journalism and media portrayals had on public figures like McCarthy during that era.