CNN Wins Michael Jackson Memorial Service Cable News Ratings Race

CNN drew the most viewers for Michael Jackson's memorial service Tuesday, averaging more than Fox News and MSNBC combined in both total viewers and the news demographic, according to Nielsen Media Research.

CNN averaged 5.300 million total viewers from 1-4PM Tuesday, while Fox News averaged 2.230 million and MSNBC' averaged 1.393 million. Sister network HLN came in second with 377,000 total viewers.

In the A25-54 demo, CNN averaged 2.258 million total viewers to Fox News' 673,000 and MSNBC's 550,000. HLN averaged 190,000 A25-54 viewers for second place in the demo, as well.

In primetime Tuesday night, Fox News edged out CNN in total viewers — 2.437 million to 2.283 million — but CNN won in the news demo, averaging 927,000 A25-54 viewers to Fox News' 683,000.

MSNBC averaged 1.013 million total viewers and 353,000 A25-54 viewers, while HLN averaged 754,000 total viewers and 355,000 A25-54 viewers.

CNN.com also had an impressive day, recording its second largest live video streaming day in history (behind Obama's Inauguration Day). CNN.com streamed 10.5 million live streams Tuesday, and 4.4 million live video streams during the hours of the memorial (1-4PM ET).

Comments

[thenemo1]

Which explains that johnny still can't read.
original book circa 1959

[thenemo1]

Bill O'Reilly gets huge numbers which indicates why Johnny still can't read.

[Bluejay00234]

Can't stand CNN, but anytime they beat Faux I'm happy.

[dlo2zen]

I hear that Wolf Blitzer gave MJ's doctor the directions to Lindsay Lohan's place.

[Martampa]

CNN is turning into an irrelevant source of news. The only thing on CNN worth watching is Jack Cafferty! I have become an MSNBC convert but even they disappointed me with all the MJ coverage.

[dillydawg]

Jack Cafferty is no longer worth the muddle through of Wolfe Blitzer. Simply unwatchable. KO and sometimes Rachel M. is worth the view.

[jozzie]

This is the d eath knell for CNN. It will become a Headline News clone and they'll have to come up with another Kaily Anthony to f log for the next 15 years.

[Rmcm84]

I have to say I was the most impressed with CNN through all of the coverage about Michael Jackson's death. They appeared to be the most respectful out of all of the major news networks. Fox News was a down right disrespectful in their reporting.

[xtherocksx]

I thought MSNBC's coverage of the actual memorial service was OK, aside from the fact that their new fixed top-bar is unnecessary and distracting. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F166o1QO6Y8

[Solja]

I was watching it on CNN.com The new video/twitter thing they had was great. People were talking continuously during the services on the feed next to the video window, so it was very interesting. That was something new nobody else is doing.

[nunzia]

Which just shows you where Americans put their focus.
Not their health care, not unemployment, not war.
Ya get whacha deserve.

[Solja]

Which one of those things would have changed during the 2 hour funeral? Health care? How about unemployment? Was the war going to end during that time?

SHUT.UP.

[JerseyGirl4Obama]

Not one thing would have changed during the 2-hour funeral. Michael's detractors and haters will never change. I'm glad it was on since I had to work and was able to see it later.

[jozzie]

It's not "America." Well, it sort of is. It's that we've let mega-corporations hijack our public airwaves and they end up caring about zero except ratings.

We need to totally reform the FCC and revisit and revise major communications rulings.

[JerseyGirl4Obama]

Yes, why don't you start working on that.

[Tanyars5]

CNN did a great job. Don Lemon was excellent with his coverage. MSNBC has issues with AA issues.

[jrjones529]

Yes. Don Lemon is fantastic. I really appreciated his coverage during the Iran protests as well. He needs an award and a raise!

[goodnews7]

Ditto that twice. I have noticed after the campaign MSNBC is just choosing to have white loud mouth boors in there lineup. Keith is still excellent, Rachael is ok too, but the morning lineup is just a bunch of white loud mouths. CNN has now started to reach out to minorities with respect, unlike MSNBC now which has Fox News like programing in the morning a no programing that is helpful for people who are in economic distress. I have chosen to now watch CNN and HLN now only because at least the station is at least trying to reach out to everyone with helpful information. As for MJ memorial MSNBC had Chris Jenson an others who just don't know or care about MJ or the AA community. I just don't bother with MSNBC anymore accept for Keith, Are you listening MSMBC !!! Your morning programing just plain stinks now.

[CUL8R]

Everybody in my office was streaming online.

[wpiv926]

When real news occurs, people turn to CNN. It happens everytime.

[amiri1]

Excellent job CNN!

[the964kid]

I was forced to turn to CNN after MSNBC had MJ career haters like Diane Diamond and Donny Deutche on, giving their bitter commentary on the day of his memorial. Whoever picked the guests for Tuesday's MSNBC memorial service should be canned, or at least put in charge of something they actually understand.