September 27th, 2011

CNN Posts Significant Ratings Growth in All Categories and Dayparts During Third Quarter 2011

Primetime Grows +47%, Total Day +32% and Dayside +26%

Primetime:

For the third quarter 2011, CNN posted significant ratings gains and grew more than MSNBC and FNC during M-F primetime – increasing an impressive +47% in the key demo (232k vs. 158k) and by +28% in total viewers (710k vs. 553k) compared to third quarter a year ago. MSNBC increased far less, growing 7% in the demo (254k vs. 238k) and 9% in total viewers (879k vs. 808k); while FNC was down -2% in the demo and was up 2% in total viewers vs. Q3 2010.

Total Day & Dayside:

CNN topped MSNBC in total day (6a-6a) in both the key demo (158k vs. 150k) and total viewers (475k vs. 431k) during the third quarter. CNN also grew the most in total day, increasing +32% in the demo (158k vs. 120k) and +21% in total viewers (475k vs. 392k) compared to a year ago. MSNBC was up only 5% in the demo (150k vs. 143k) and 11% in total viewers (431k vs. 387k) and FNC was up 4% in the demo and 6% in total viewers.

During dayside programming (9a-5p), CNN had a 52% advantage over MSNBC in the key demo 25-54 (154k vs. 101k) and a 48% lead among total viewers (532k vs. 360k) during the quarter. CNN also had strong dayside ratings growth compared to Q3 2010, increasing +26% in the demo (154k vs. 122k) and +17% in total viewers (532k vs. 455k).

Program Highlights:

CNN’s 8 pm programming grew significantly compared to a year ago — increasing +39% in the demo (188k vs. 135k) and +28% in total viewers (612k vs. 477k). MSNBC was down -25% in the demo (201k vs. 268k) and was off -15% among total viewers (845k vs. 994k) and FNC was down -6% (demo) and up just 1% among total viewers.

CNN also had strong gains at 9 pm vs. CNN programming a year ago – with Piers Morgan Tonight growing +36% in the demo (213k vs. 157k) and increasing +18% in total viewers (701k vs. 593k). MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow Show grew by far less, increasing 13% in the demo and only 3% among total viewers this quarter; while FNC was down -6% (demo) and off -3% in total viewers.

At 10 pm, Anderson Cooper 360 topped MSNBC’s The Ed Show for the third quarter in the demo (274k vs. 232k) and among total viewers (750k vs. 736k). AC 360 also had big gains compared to last year – growing an impressive +52% in the demo (274k vs. 180k) and +29% in total viewers (750k vs. 582k). MSNBC increased 18%/34% and FNC was down -2%/0% respectively.

The Situation Room with Blitzer (6pm) topped MSNBC Live/Politics Nation with Al Sharpton in the demo (169k vs. 158k) during the Q3 2011. The Sit Room also grew more than MSNBC and FNC, increasing +27% in the key demo (169k vs. 133k) and +24% in total viewers (592k vs. 477k). MSNBC was down -9% in the demo (158k vs. 173k) and off -5% in total viewers (621k vs. 655k); FNC was up 2% in the demo and down 2% in total viewers.

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