CNN Tops MSNBC In Weekday Prime Time For First Time In Six Months

CNN topped MSNBC during the weekday prime time in both total viewers and the A25-54 demographic during January (both were far behind FNC). It was the first time CNN beat MSNBC in those categories in six months.

CNN was helped by their coverage of Haiti, which was both the most comprehensive of any cable network and boosted the ratings, especially in the first week after the earthquake.

Other notes about CNN ratings:

• MSNBC’s prime time line-up of Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow slipped to 3rd – Olbermann behind HLN’s Nancy Grace and Maddow behind Larry King.

• Anderson Cooper was #2 at 10pmET (behind FNC), well ahead of MSNBC and HLN.

• CNN’s American Morning was #2 in both total viewers and the demo, while MSNBC’s Morning Joe finished 4th in the demo.

• Despite CNN topping MSNBC, they both were down double digits from Jan. 2009.

— Related: Fox News Has Best January Ever

Here’s the full CNN (and HLN) release:

In January, CNN topped MSNBC during daytime (9am-5pm), total day (6am-6am) and in weekday primetime (8-11pm) in both total viewers and in the key demo adults 25-54.

In head-to-head comparisons with MSNBC’s daytime non-opinion news programming – CNN dominated, averaging 658k vs. 305k in total viewers (+116%), and 165k vs. 75k in adults 25-54 (+120%). MSNBC placed either fourth or fifth (trailing behind CNBC) every weekday hour throughout the day (9 am until 5 pm) in the key demo 25-54. At 5pm, Hardball slipped to fourth place behind FNC, CNN’s Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer and HLN’s Prime News among adults 25-54, and also placed fourth at 7 pm, trailing FNC, CNN and HLN’s Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell.

CNN also outperformed MSNBC in total day (6am-6am) in both total viewers (577k vs. 369k) and among adults 25-54 (177k vs. 122k). And HLN topped MSNBC in total day in the key demo adults 25-54 with 130k vs. MSNBC’s 122k.

In weekday prime, CNN topped MSNBC (M-F/8-11 pm) in both total viewers and among the key demographic adults 25-54. For the month, CNN averaged 946k total viewers, a 13% advantage over MSNBC’s 838k, and 294k among adults 25-54, a 20% lead over MSNBC’s 245k. This represents the first time in six months that CNN topped MSNBC in the key demographic adults 25-54 in prime. Compared to December 2009, CNN grew an impressive 52% among adults 25-54 (294k vs. 194k), while MSNBC was up only 14% (245k vs. 214k).

At 10 pm, Anderson Cooper 360 had a 52% advantage over MSNBC in total viewers (906k vs. 597k) and a 51% lead in the key demographic adults 25-54 (305k vs. 202k) in January. CNN’s Larry King topped MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow at 9 pm in both total viewers (930k vs.876k) and the key demo 25-54 (264k vs. 233k). And at 8 pm, CNN’s Campbell Brown grew significantly in January, up 43% in total viewers and 73% in 25-54 compared to last month, while Countdown with Keith Olbermann increased only 6%/7% respectively vs. December. Countdown also placed third in January, behind FNC and HLN’s Nancy Grace among adults 25-54. CNN is the only cable news network that provides non-partisan programming representing all points of view in primetime.

In the morning (6-9 am), CNN’s American Morning placed second in total viewers, while both CNN and HLN’s Morning Express with Robin Meade outperformed MSNBC’s Morning Joe among adults 25-54 with HLN averaging 166k, CNN posting 152k, and Morning Joe trailing with 100k.

During January, CNN reached 118.0 million viewers, FNC had 103.4 million, HLN posted 98.5 million and MSNBC had 91.3 million.

HLN:

As HLN approaches the fifth anniversary of its 2005 revamp to personality-based programming in primetime, it continues to celebrate ratings successes across the board. HLN beat MSNBC in total day in 25-54 (130k to 122k). Morning Express with Robin Meade placed second in 25-54, beating MSNBC’s Morning Joe (166k to100k). Nancy Grace continued its reign as HLN’s highest-rated program, overpowering Countdown with Keith Olbermann in adults 25-54 (283K to 267k). In its fourth month, The Joy Behar Show posted its best monthly deliveries yet among both total viewers (687k) and adults 25-54 (188k). The Joy Behar Show also posted 42% growth among total viewers versus last year (the most growth of any 9 pm cable news show).

—–
» Follow Steve Krakauer on Twitter

Follow us on Twitter.

Sign up for Mediaite’s daily newsletter.

filed under

share this post

5 comments

libra blue says:

February 2, 2010 at 3:51 pm

0  0

Unless there is an earthquake every month I doubt this means much.

Brinklee says:

February 2, 2010 at 4:06 pm

0  0

It’s bad when CNN can beat anyone in the ratings, but MSNBC really isn’t saying much. Need a bigger laugh then CNN or MSNBC combine which is saying a lot… http://leevandenbrink.blogspot.com

Joe K says:

February 2, 2010 at 4:25 pm

0  0

CNN compared to MSNBC? YAWN!

Blaise63 says:

February 2, 2010 at 4:55 pm

0  0

“CNN is the only cable news network that provides non-partisan programming representing all points of view in primetime” Who the h**l wrote that piece of claptrap. One reason Fox is smoking all its competitors is that NO ONE ELSE is giving voice to anyone even slightly right of center. Please give me an example of a prime time CNN program that gives any credence to the conservative viewpoint.

elizadavid says:

February 13, 2010 at 7:53 am

0  0

So how’s Sanchez been doing with the extra hour? It’s only been a couple weeks, but so far, the second hour of “Rick’s List” is down 17 percent in total viewers, and 18 percent in the demo when compared with “The Situation Room.”Hmmm, another good? decision by CNN management! They are truly lost and if they don’t wake up they will be gone. They need to have a massive call for new talent, get rid of half their BPTOTV and half their commentators (Carville, Gergan to name two).

r4 revolution

Click here to cancel reply.

If you would like to comment, please login or register:

» Login » Register

Connect with your Facebook Account