Fox News Sees Profits And Viewership Rise, Cable News Competition Doesn’t

by Steve Krakauer | 8:45 am, March 15th, 2010

» 22 comments

This year’s annual State of the News Media, put together by Pew, is a comprehensive look at the entire media world.

But let’s take a look at the cable news section – and the all-important race between Fox News, CNN and MSNBC.

• It is clear CNN declined not only in viewership (as evidenced by the chart below as well) but also in the comprehensive way it covers the news:

In one key demographic — 25-to-54-year olds — CNN fell behind a more ideological MNSBC in prime time audience, a prospect unthinkable even two years earlier. For the first time in years, CNN also cut back on newsgathering, its primary competitive advantage over its rivals.

• We all know how strong FNC’s ratings are, but when it comes to making money, they are surpassing the competition as well:

Fox surpassed CNN in profit and revenue, as well, and was closing in fast in the amount it can charge for advertising per thousand viewers, after years of having to discount the price of its ads.

• More on money-making:

CNN and HLN remained static, not necessarily a bad thing given the challenges facing other media in 2009. Profits (up 1% to $475.5 million) and revenues (down 1% to $1.18 billion) were basically flat, as was overall news investment (down 2.5% to $703.4 million)….[FNC's] profits (up 19% to $534.8 million) and revenues (up 14% to $1.21 billion) grew substantially. The channel’s news investment was up 10% to $674 million…[MSNBC's] profits rose 1% to $149.6 million, on revenues that were similar, up less than 1% to $368 million. As a consequence, MSNBC is expected to have spent roughly the same amount, $217.9 million, on newsgathering in 2009 as a year earlier.

In other words, CNN, HLN, MSNBC – flat. FNC – up big.

• One area CNN still is holding strong as the #1 cable news outlet – the web:

In 2009 CNN was the leader among the three cable news brands according to Hitwise, one of the major Web audience measurement companies. Its site, CNN.com, was relaunched in the fall, and registered even more traffic in the months following.

• But at the end of the day, isn’t it about the viewers? Here’s a look at the 2009 viewership for CNN, Fox News and MSNBC:

Wow. And for the sake of comparison – here’s the 2008 chart:

Yeah, not really a race anymore is it?

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charts, fnc, fox news, msnbc, Pew, Project for the Excellence in Journalism

writer

We will not await the left saying that ratings are meaningless, and besides, CSI gets more viewers.
The Real Royal King

I don’t know about CSI, but ABC, CBS and NBC get many, many more viewers.
writer

I rest my case.
The Real Royal King

writer says:
March 15, 2010 at 10:14 am

I rest my case.

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Excellent. The adults can talk now.
writer

Let me know when you find one.
autobahn

So, if Fox doesn’t match up well against the big three, how does MSNBC stack up in comparison?
Moderate

Jon Stewart does not get enough credit for all the free publicity that he gives Fox News.
The Real Royal King

Not at all well, Herr Autobahn.
autobahn

Ach, I thought as much.
The Real Royal King

Moderate says:
March 15, 2010 at 10:40 am

Jon Stewart does not get enough credit for all the free publicity that he gives Fox News.

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Are you suggesting that some people watch FOX for the amusement? A “Rocky Horror Show” like following? See, I think this is true on some shows. I have heard of people in college watching F&F just to how outlandish the Gretch looks that day, or what ridiculous statement the Gretch and the Douche will make. I personally know a few people who do this, and I have been known to flip on F&F for the yuks and chortles. I can’t imagine that these numbers would be all that significant, but, at least as to F&F, this is some factor. I suspect that drops off in the afternoon and evening. I tried to watch Beck and O’Reilly a couple of times, but I just got too bored.
autobahn

So Gretchen doesn’t look good, but Rachel Maddow is a cutie? Beauty is subjective, I suppose.
The Real Royal King

Well, Gretchen is certainly not a beauty, but I don’t think Rachel is, either. I’m more the Norah O’Donnell sort.
writer

Auto, it’s a common tactic of the far left. Make fun of someone’s appearance, and that somehow diminishes their credibility. Just debating facts isn’t sufficient. A few personal insults need to be thrown in.
writer

(White) Royal, you’re more the Rosie O’Donnell sort.
autobahn

Writer, I think I see what you mean about that ‘personal insults’ thing.
http://mediaite.com Steve Krakauer

Alright it’s time to ban MarkBovineKoldys. Sorry it took so long everyone.
Caryson

I look at the ratings every day and FNC just kills the other cable news channels!

Do they beat the broadcast nets. In one word NO!

But all the libtards who want to control everything including news cannot stomach this. So they refer to FNC as “Faux News” or “Fox Noise.” Even the White House couldn’t deal with some real news getting out and went to war with FNC. The result were higher ratings for FNC.

Some day, the rest of the MSM will wake up and find they are going out of business due to lack of viewers/readers/listeners and cry for a Government bailout.

Kudos to FNC.
PureFreedom

there is a lot of famous people say they dont watch fox news and then when asked for examples why not… they cant name one reason.
The truth is they have no idea and cant name anything but think they are cool and relevant.
But alot of people lock step along with Hollywood stars like Lindsy Lohan or Ben Affleck. and agree that there should not be Fox News or any counter balance or questions about the messiah Obama.
m

>But all the libtards who want to control everything including news cannot stomach this.

There is only one liberal TV channel. It’s MSNBC. The rest of the media follows the lead of Fox News & The Drudge Report all the time. American media, with ease, can be confirmed to have a conservative bias.
m

Just wanted to say, congratulations conservatives – you’ve won. Mainstream media is conservative. It’s the liberal media that’s in the minority now. Republicans and conservatives can easily dictate the narrative of the day whenever they want to. Talk radio, Fox News, Drudge Report, Wall Street Journal, etc.
writer

Dan Rather was following Fox when he did that bogus report on Bush’s guard service. Dan has always been on the far right, but this was the last straw.
http://www.scentaroom.com scented rocks

Not a true fan of CNN or Fox…