HLN Draws Big Numbers for Casey Verdict

Tuesday's controversial Casey Anthony verdict announcement helped HLN draw its biggest primetime audience in nearly a decade.

HLN averaged 2.5 million primetime viewers last night -- hours after an Orlando jury acquitted Anthony of killing her daughter Caylee Anthony during a highly publicized trial - the news network's biggest primetime audience since 9/11, according to Nielsen fast nationals provided by HLN. Among adults 24-54, the network's 926,000 viewers was its best since its March 19 2003 coverage of the Iraq War.

HLN's coverage peaked during the 2:15 p.m. quarter hour when verdict was read, delivering 5.2 million viewers and 1.89 million adults 25-54. The network's 4.5 million viewers during the 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. hour marked HLN's best performance in any hour in history.

HLN's Nancy Grace show drew its best audience ever during its 8 p.m. timeslot, averaging 2.8 million total viewers and 1.2 million adults 25-54, according to the network. A special 9 p.m. edition of the show drew 2.2 million viewers and 909,000 adults 25-54.

HLN sister network CNN's coverage of the verdict peaked at 2:30 p.m. with 2.3 million total viewers and 865,000 adults 25-54.

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.