CNN Falls To Last Place In Primetime Demo

The October 2009 cable news ratings are in with a major milestone: CNN has fallen to last place
in the primetime demographic, the category advertisers covet most and in which three of its four primetime shows finished last for the first time ever.

CNN fell to fourth with an average of 190,000 A25-54 viewers in primetime in October, just behind sister network HLN, which averaged 191,000 A25-54 viewers in primetime. Fox News won the prime demo with 583,000 A25-54 viewers, and MSNBC came in second with 239,000.

In total viewers, Fox News won primetime with an average of 2,234,000. MSNBC averaged 730,000 total viewers, CNN averaged 679,000 total viewers, and HLN averaged 530,000 total viewers.

In the total day ratings, Fox News won among A25-54 viewers with an average of 344,000, while CNN (142,00) and HLN (146,000) beat last-place MSNBC (131,000).

Among total viewers in total day ratings, Fox News averaged 1,255,000 for first place. CNN placed second with 486,000, MSNBC placed third with 359,000, and HLN placed last with 307,000.

In all categories, CNN and MSNBC fell to their respective 2009 lows, and the networks have taken to squabbling with each other over whose October was better.

"We're thrilled to be beating CNN in primetime, where the money is made," a MSNBC spokesperson told the Huffington Post.

"We couldn't be more pleased that both our networks (CNN and HLN) are now topping MSNBC in total day and that CNN.com leads all TV news competitors on the web," a CNN spokesperson said. "As we have said for years, we measure our audience across all CNN Worldwide platforms and throughout the day, not just primetime. CNN provides quality journalism and our ratings reflect the news environment more than opinion programming does - especially in primetime."

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Fox News took the top 13 programs in all of cable news, with "The O'Reilly Factor" on top for the 107th consecutive month. O'Reilly averaged 3,389,000 total viewers; "Glenn Beck" (2,748,000), "Hannity" (2,374,000), "Special Report with Bret Baier" (2,248,000), and "Fox Report with Shepard Smith" (1,989,000) rounded out the top five (full ranker below).

"Anderson Cooper 360" is a particular let-down for CNN, as it came in last place at 10PM in the primetime demographic, losing even to repeats of "Countdown" and "Nancy Grace." "Lou Dobbs" also came in last in the prime demo; in fact, "Campbell Brown" also came in last in the prime demo, making "Larry King Live" the only CNN program not to lose in that category (it beat the new "Joy Behar Show" on HLN).

Total Day (M-Su), Total Viewers
Fox News: 1,255,000
CNN: 486,000
MSNBC: 359,000
HLN: 307,000

Total Day (M-Su), A25-54
Fox News: 344,000
HLN: 146,000
CNN: 142,000
MSNBC: 131,000

Primetime (M-Su), Total Viewers
Fox News: 2,234,000
MSNBC 730,000
CNN 679,000
HLN 530,000

Primetime (M-Su), A25-54
Fox News: 583,000
MSNBC: 239,000
HLN: 191,000
CNN: 190,000

7PM, Total Viewers
Fox Report with Shepard Smith: 1,989,000
Hardball: 649,000
Lou Dobbs Tonight: 631,000
Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell: 461,000

7PM, A25-54
Fox Report with Shepard Smith: 463,000
Hardball: 182,000
Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell: 167,000
Lou Dobbs Tonight: 163,000

8PM, Total Viewers
O'Reilly Factor: 3,389,000
Countdown: 1,020,000
Nancy Grace: 830,000
Campbell Brown: 648,000

8PM, A25-54
O'Reilly Factor 875,000
Countdown: 294,000
Nancy Grace: 269,000
Campbell Brown: 161,000

9PM, Total Viewers
Hannity: 2,374,000
Rachel Maddow: 880,000
Larry King Live: 842,000
Joy Behar: 535,000

9PM, A25-54
Hannity: 659,000
Rachel Maddow: 246,000
Larry King Live: 224,000
Joy Behar: 183,000

10PM, Total Viewers
On the Record with Greta van Susteren: 1,958,000
Anderson Cooper 360: 689,000
Countdown (repeat): 600,000
Nancy Grace (repeat): 495,000

10PM, A25-54
On the Record with Greta van Susteren: 533,000
Nancy Grace (repeat): 222,000
Countdown (repeat): 218,000
Anderson Cooper 360: 210,000

October 2009 Total Viewers Cable News Program Ranker:

October Cable News Total Viewers Program Ranker Live SD -

October 2009 A25-54 Cable News Program Ranker:

October Cable News A25-54 Program Ranker -

Correction: An earlier version of this story said it was the first time CNN had fallen to last place in primetime; the network had actually placed last twice already in 2009. October 2009 is the first month that three of CNN's four primetime programs placed last. The Huffington Post regrets the error.

Comments

[BOin08]

MSNBC Headline: WE'RE NOT LAST-CNN SUCKS MORE!

[BOin08]

I'm no fan of Fox, but I am a fan of journalism. What other network aggressively confronts the administration on the hot-button issues of the day? NBC? CNN? ABC? Please. And MSNBC - the propaganda wing of the DNC? Seriously. Please. MSNBC is more like the History Channel as they continue to harp on the sins of the previous administration. What would Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein be doing today? Hunting the GWB bogey man? Or following the money for health care reform?

MSNBC can't beat Fox because their anchors do not resonate with viewers- event the 25-55 demo rejects them- as credible news sources. If they want sober adults to watch they need to focus on straight news and less on tabloid trash. Ridding themselves of woman-hating, self loathing crazy-man Keith Olbermann is a step in the right direction or they can go down with the ship. Keith Olbermann - Captain of the USS MSNBC Titanic.

[vascopyjama]

Maybe if they went back to telling new instead of back stories, yachting, golfing and all the rest of it people might watch CNN. But no, they will still keep broadcasting Larry King and his endless stories about Michael Jackson over and over between Business Traveler's Advisories (weather reports to you and me).

[IowaBoy]

CNN should rethink their business model. NPR produces 24 hours of intelligent news, talk and public affairs programming with a FRACTION of Lou Dobbs' hairspray allowance. Why not adopt a true "fair and balanced" strategy and let experts and thoughtful viewers discuss a wide range of issues instead of always seeking to beat Fox and MSNBC with bombast and blithering spin doctors. They might not increase their audience, but at least they's have a corner on the nation's policy makers, movers and shakers.

[fremen93106]

These numbers don't make sense to me. The republican party is at about 20% approval ratings and this channel which is the voice of that party would be number one? Only old republicans watch Fox News like the AM Radio. I don't know any one who watch this excepted to have fun listening to these weirdos. So who is there to check the validity of these numbers? I mean the other channels are not great too especially MSNBC I am sorry but the criticism applies in both directions.

Journalism is about presenting the facts and not your opinions. The 4 majors are OK in that regard.
CNN is OK too - Wolf Blitzer is quite impartial and I respect him for this. Campbell Brown perhaps is too aggressive against all sides. Jim Lehrer and co., the NewsHour, they are doing a SUPERB job of journalism and I highly recommend these news to everyone. NPR is also very good on the radio.

Being neutral and not twisting the information is the definition of the work of a journalist.
And that is harder to achieve than doing the propaganda stuff and trying to convert others to your own little dogmas and opinions... But that's the right thing to do and in the long term it always will pay off.
Americans deserve to have sources of information which are neutral and not propaganda machines.
Journalists are there as a bridge between citizens and specialists.

[BuckCarson]

It's all very simple. Fox news is the only news organization that is not afraid to challenge the Administration.
Fox has stole the mantra from the 60's "Question Authority" from the Liberals. Liberals want everyone else to change except themselves , which is a sick state of being.
Their ratings simply reflect the free market system responding to Fox's providing real news that people want to see.

[me again]

The "science" of TV ratings is faulty as best. Frankly it is an absurdity. However, Olbermann runs a saavy show, whereas Cooper is amateurish these days.

[Rictracee]

CNN is sold out to corporations, they stop reporting real news, and being a true journalist .. they let too much bull fly, lots of arguing on the network nobody correcting with the FACTS ... Yes their is always 2 or more opinions.. but their are a such thing as FACTS an that trumps your opinion....

[Rictracee]

I feel sorry for Anderson Cooper., i use to have respect for him.. but he changed from keeping the honest to .. keep gossipy.. he has done nothing significant since Hurrican Katrina.. by letting republican come on the network say totally false things not ask any follow up questions or give any factual commentary on the FACTS... CNN is totally lost all credibilty

[lippy33]

I like Rick Sanchez, Roland Martin and Soledad but they are not on often enough. Instead, we get unappealing hacks like Blitzer and Campbell Brown. Complete snorefest. I actually like the weekend anchors than the weekday folks. CNN is a mess. I knew they were clueless when they gave DL Hughley his own show lol

[Rictracee]

they even became more clueless when they gave Joy Behar a show.. she has had Ann Coulter on twice in a month , then Joe the Plumber.... really .. who's next Michael Maulkin...

Cnn has jump the shark

[sterlingsilversurfer]

CNN has degenerated into a infotainment tabloid money grubbing corporaton full of talking airheads who allow pundits to lie undisputed. All in the name of the once mighty American Dollar.
Where is the journalism? Where are the follow up questions? Where is the truth?
Remember Edward R Murrow? How about Walter Cronkite?
Does that mean anything to you?
Did a FOX get in your henhouse?

[notrust]

I used to watch CNN, which was my favorite news source. All the CNN, I get now, is through DailyShow. Why I left: The hosts allow the partisan guests to spin the news/facts as they like, like for example: the earth is flat. And as Jon Stewart put it - the CNN anchor “leaves it there”, for the public to wonder whether the earth is really flat!

Most of CNN guests are very old discredited political hacks with predictable views about news and facts. The moment I see one of them, I change the channel. I do not get any education from them. All they do is to paint me red or blue. Why not they invite fresh young guests, from the blogosphere with open minds, who are prepared to articulate without prejudice?

I suppose there is still a market for absolute truth in Cable Television with anchors who do not pimp for anybody.

[Rictracee]

co-sign.. fanned.. my thoughts exactly

[Sherrie714]

CNN is boring...AC is boring, cute but boring. Campbell Brown...what side is she on? At least you know Rachael Maddow's position. At least you know Morning Joe's position. They need to tap into their young and fresh talent (ex. TJ Holmes- HOT). They need to bring in strong opinions and credible debate, not tepid discussion and dialog.

[roncraw]

If you watched Blitzer's softball interview w/McConnell last night you'll know why their in last place.McConnelll shaded the truth many time with no correction from blitzer.

[dimplesmile7]

I have not watched CNN since the election. I did not like the way their morning anchors kept attacking President Obama constantly during the election. I will never tune in again.

[conscioushope]

dimple~

You and me both!
That i swhen I quit.

Also, even though I am an older anglo woman, I think young. And the "old white men" mentality is more than I can take (Blitzer, Dobbs). I really can't think , however, of any of the Prime Timers who I am interested in.

I hate the back and forth and back and forth arguing. That is not helpful. They have on the same old same olds. They need to bring on smart, hip, younger thinkers who do not have to yell over one another to talk.

It is time for Rachel's, Jon's, Colbert's generation to shine.