Anderson "The Ratings" Cooper Upper

Anderson Cooper Gives CNN a Ratings Boost

Monday, 03 October 2011 -- 19:34
Written by Newsdesk

In September, CNN grew more than any cable news network -- increasing +46% in M-F primetime in the key demo adults 25-54 (253k vs. 173k) and +34% among total viewers (769k vs. 574k) vs. last September (2010).

CNN outperformed MSNBC in total day (6a-6a) among both total viewers (450k vs. 412k) and in the key demo 25-54 (148k vs. 143k). CNN also topped MSNBC during dayside (M-F 9a-5p) in total viewers (511k vs. 323k) and in 25-54 (147k vs. 85k).

• At 8pm, CNN’s AC 360 topped MSNBC’s The Last Word in the key demo (212k vs. 185k) in September. The CNN program was the only 8 pm show (among MSNBC and FNC) to post growth, increasing +36% among 25-54 vs. CNN programming a year ago (212k vs. 156k). MSNBC decreased a staggering -35% (185k vs. 286k) and FNC’s O’Reilly Factor was down -14% (611k vs. 712k). In total viewers, AC 360 was up +37% (674k vs. 491k); MSNBC was down -22% (834k vs. 1.068m) and FNC was flat compared to last year.

• Compared to its cable competitors (MSNBC and FNC), Piers Morgan Tonight was the only 9 pm program to grow vs. a year ago - increasing +18% in the key demo (193k vs. 164k), while Rachel Maddow Show was down -15% (246k vs. 289k) and Hannity was off -13%. Among total viewers Piers Morgan Tonight increased +6% (626k vs. 588k), MSNBC was down -17% (875k vs. 1.057m) and FNC was down -5%.

• At 10 pm, AC 360 topped MSNBC’s The Ed Show/Docs in both total viewers (739k vs. 677k) and in the demo 25-54 (269k vs. 199k). CNN had strong ratings gains at 10pm compared to the other cable news networks – increasing +42% among 25-54 (269k vs. 190k) and +20% in total viewers (739k vs. 617k) vs. a year ago. MSNBC’s The Ed Show/Docs was up only +3% in the demo (199k vs. 194k), while FNC remained relatively flat, +1%. In total viewers, MSNBC grew 17% (677k vs. 578k) and FNC increased just 6%.

• The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer at 6 pm topped MSNBC’s Politics Nation with Al Sharpton in the key demo 25-54 (163k vs. 141k) in September. In addition, the Blitzer-led program grew +19% in the demo (163k vs. 137k) and +22% among total viewers (590k vs. 483k) vs. last year. Sharpton was down -24% in the demo (141k vs. 185k) and -15% in total viewers (599k vs. 708k) compared to MSNBC’s programming a year ago.

• CNN Newsroom easily topped MSNBC during the dayside (9a-5p) in both total viewers and in the key demo 25-54. Among total viewers, CNN averaged 511k, a 58% advantage over MSNBC’s 323k, and in 25-54, posted 147k, 73% more than MSNBC’s 85k.

• In total day (6a-6a), CNN topped MSNBC in total viewers (450k vs. 412k) and in the demo 25-54 (148k vs. 143k) in September. CNN also grew the most in total day vs. a year ago – increasing +16% among total viewers (450k vs. 389k) and +25% in the demo (148k vs. 118k). MSNBC grew only 4% in total viewers (412k vs. 395k) and 2% in the demo (143k vs. 140k). FNC was up 2% in total day/total viewers and was down -3% in total day/demo compared to a year ago.

CNN reached a cumulative audience of 96.6 million viewers in September. MSNBC followed with 79.3 million and FNC dropped to third with 77.3 million.