Free Newsletter Subscription
        BNC All Access

Cable Ratings: Fox News Posts Across-the-Board August Increases

MSNBC beats CNN in demo

By Marisa Guthrie -- Broadcasting & Cable, 9/1/2009 3:24:26 PM

Fox News Channel posted across-the-board ratings increases during a month dominated by the vitriolic health care reform debate. In August, FNC posted its highest numbers in primetime in news' target demographic of 25-to-54 year olds for the year. A demo increase for FNC is significant because while it is the most-watched news network on cable, its audience generally skews older.

FNC averaged 2.29 million total viewers in primetime (Monday through Sunday) up 17% year-to-year and 590,000 in the demo, a 25% increase, according to Nielsen Media Research. CNN averaged 891,000 total viewers and 248,000 in the demo, down 32% and 45% respectively. MSNBC averaged 807,000 total viewers and 276,000 in the demo, down 2% and 14%, respectively. (August 2008 was dominated by election news and the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colo.).

Of the top-rated programs on cable news, FNC had 11 of them among total viewers and nine out of the top 10 programs in the demo, making it the third-ranked basic cable network in primetime viewership behind USA and TNT. CNN and MSNBC were 22nd and 25th, respectively.

The O'Reilly Factor was once again the top-rated cable news program among total viewers (3.38 million) and the demo (861,000), for year-to-year gains of 33% and up 62%, respectively. O'Reilly also had its five top-rated programs in 2009 in August.

CNN topped MSNBC in total viewers and in total day among viewers and the demo.
MSNBC beat CNN in the primetime demo for the month (Mon-Sun., 8-11 p.m.).

At 8 p.m., Countdown with Keith Olbermann bested CNN's Campbell Brown by 62% in the demo (345,000 versus 213,000) and 43% among total viewers (1,087,000 versus 761,000).

At 9 p.m. Sean Hannity was the top-rated program with 2.64 million total viewers and 719,000 in the demo. The Rachel Maddow Show snuck by Larry King Live in the demo (304,000 versus 294,000). But Larry King prevailed among total viewers (1.08 million versus 996,000).

At 7 p.m. Fox Report with Shepard Smith averaged 1.74 million total viewers and 430,000 in the demo. Hardball with Chris Matthews out-rated Lou Dobbs Tonight in total viewers (647,000 versus 642,000) and in the demo (198,000 versus 175,000).

At 10 p.m., On the Record with Greta van Susteren easily prevailed averaging 2.14 million total viewers and 590,000 in the demo for year-to-year gains of 34% and 45%, respectively. Anderson Cooper 360 prevailed over a rerun of Countdown (866,000 versus 693,000) among total viewers and also eked out a win in the demo (260,000 versus 242,000).

 

Talkback
Related Content

No related content found.

Also by Marisa Guthrie

Most Popular Pages
    No Top Articles
Newbay Business Information Resource Center

Featured Company


Most Recent Resources

Advertisement
More Content
  • Blogs
  • Photos
  • Podcasts

Paige Albiniak

Fates & Fortunes

Paige Albiniak
February 15, 2010
Fates & Fortunes Round-Up: Feb. 8 – Feb. 15, 2010
In my house right now, it’s Olympics 24/7. Who cares if NBC is losing $250...
More

John Eggerton

BC/DC: Eggerton on Washington

John Eggerton
February 14, 2010
Color Bronze Missing From Peacock's Olympic Tale
Come on NBC.  Bryon Wilson was Skiing USA and got hardly a mention...
More

Free Streaming panel_Grossman_Graboff_Rosenblum_Tellem_Wells_vertical

Free Streaming: Killing or Saving the Television Business

Photos from the B&C/Multichannel News panel discussion and networking breakfast held Nov. 17, 2009, at the Academy Television Arts & Sciences. (Photos by credit: Craig T. Mathew/Mathew Imaging)



Advertisement
About Us   |   Advertising Info   |   Site Map   |   Contact Us   |   Affiliate Links   |   RSS
© 2013 NewBay Media, LLC. 28 East 28th Street, 12th floor, New York, NY 10016 T (212) 378-0400 F (212) 378-0470
Use of this website is subject to its Terms of Use | Privacy Policy