CNN Press Room

CNN HAS MOST-WATCHED FIRST QUARTER SINCE 2003

Strong #2 in Cable News in Total Day, Dayside and Prime Time Demo 

Tops MSNBC for 12 Straight Quarters 

CNN Beats MSNBC 23 Out of 24 Hours in Demo

New Day Tops Morning Joe for Second Straight Quarter; 

State of the Union with Jake Tapper and Fareed Zakaria GPS Rank #1 in Demo 

CNN had its most-watched first quarter in 14 years (since 1Q 2003) among both adults 25-54 and total viewers. Among all quarters, the network posted its second highest quarterly ratings in total day (25-54 and total viewers) and 3rd highest in prime time (25-54) since 4Q 2008.

For the quarter that ended on Sunday (January-March), CNN ranked #2 in cable news, with all key programs posting record ratings and growing double digits compared to a year ago. CNN topped MSNBC in total day (25-54, total viewers) and in prime time (adults 25-54) for the 12th straight quarter, the longest quarterly streak in more than eight years (since 4Q 2008).

CNN beat MSNBC this quarter in every hour among 25-54 (except M-F 9pm). In fact, CNN weekday programming at 9pm grew an impressive +67% in the demo and +52% in total viewers compared to last year and is having its highest delivery during that time period since 4Q 2008.  Posting record ratings, CNN’s New Day beat MSNBC’s Morning Joe for the second straight quarter and for the 8th time in the last 11 quarters among adults 25-54.

Among ALL cable networks, CNN ranked #8 in total viewers (total day) and #9 in total viewers (M-F prime time).  This marks the third straight quarter and longest quarterly streak in over 21 years (4Q 1995) that CNN is a Top 10 Cable network in both dayparts among total viewers.

(For context when comparing to a year ago (2016) – the network had 13 CNN-specific Debates and Town Halls that drew record high viewership.  That list is below.)

 

CNN First Quarter 2017 Program Highlights:   

Mornings, Afternoons:

Evening/Prime Time:

Saturdays:

Sundays:

CNN First Quarter 2017 Original Series and CNN Films Highlights:

Original Series:

CNN Films:

Last Year’s Thirteen First Quarter CNN-specific Debates and Town Halls: 

Jan. 2016
CNN Guns in America Obama Town Hall; CNN Iowa Dem. Town Hall. (2)

Feb. 2016:
CNN NH Dem. Town Hall; PBS/CNN Wisconsin Dem Primary Debate; CNN SC GOP Town Hall (2 nights); CNN SC Dem. Town Hall; CNN/Telemundo Houston GOP Primary Debate. (6)

March 2016:
CNN Michigan Dem. Primary Debate; Univision/CNN Florida Dem Primary Debate; CNN Florida GOP Primary Debate; CNN Ohio Dem. Town Hall; CNN Election Special The Final Five Candidates. (5)

End of Month March 2017:

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