Many people mocked CNN for its wall-to-wall coverage of the Carnival Triumph cruise ship saga. But CNN is probably having the last laugh after its ratings spiked on the night of the ship's bedraggled return to port.

Even people who had been on the Triumph told the network, live on air, that it was making too much out of the story, which it covered for hour after hour after hour on Thursday. Media critics scoffed at the spectacle, which is being widely seen as a harbinger of new chief Jeff Zucker's plans to add more sensational coverage.

But the numbers didn't lie: people were interested. And numbers —not critical approval— are what CNN needs. Despite sky-high profits, its stubbornly moribund prime-time and morning ratings are what led to Zucker's arrival, as well as the ouster of several of his predecessors.

CNN beat Fox News and MSNBC combined in the coveted A25-54 demo for two crucial hours in primetime on Thursday. The Hollywood Reporter said this was a 74 percent jump over the network's recent numbers. CNN also beat MSNBC —its most pressing goal, since Fox News remains so far ahead — in the ratings all day.

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  • A passenger displays a message as he rides a bus from the cruise terminal in Mobile, Ala., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013. The cruise ship Carnival Triumph docked in Mobile late Thursday. The ship with more than 4,200 passengers and crew members has been idled for nearly a week in the Gulf of Mexico following an engine room fire. (AP Photo/John David Mercer)

  • Carnival Triumph Arrives

    People watch from their balconies and hold up signs aboard the Carnival Triumph after it was towed to the cruise terminal in Mobile, Ala., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013. The ship with more than 4,200 passengers and crew members has been idled for nearly a week in the Gulf of Mexico following an engine room fire. (AP Photo/AL.com, Mike Brantley)

  • Passengers from the disabled Carnival Triumph cruise ship arrive by bus at the Hilton Riverside Hotel in New Orleans, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013. The ship had been idled for nearly a week in the Gulf of Mexico following an engine room fire. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

  • The cruise ship Carnival Triumph is moored at a dock in Mobile, Ala., Friday, Feb. 15, 2013. The ship, which docked Thursday in Mobile after drifting nearly powerless in the Gulf of Mexico for five days, was moved Friday from the cruise terminal to a repair facility. The ship carrying more than 4,200 passengers and crew members had been idled for nearly a week in the Gulf of Mexico following an engine room fire. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

  • This undated photo provided by passenger Don Hoggatt, of Dallas, shows covered urinals and bagged trash cans for passengers to use in one of the bathrooms aboard the Carnival Triumph cruise ship which became disabled after an engine-room fire left the ship powerless off Mexico last weekend. The Triumph arrived late Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013, in Mobile, Ala., after an engine-room fire left the ship powerless off Mexico last weekend. (AP Photo/Don Hoggatt)

  • This undated photo provided by passenger Don Hoggatt, of Dallas, shows the tent city built on the Lido deck of the Carnival Triumph cruise ship for people to spend the day or night in to escape the stench from the lower decks of the disabled ship. The Triumph arrived late Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013, in Mobile, Ala., after an engine-room fire left the ship powerless off Mexico last weekend. (AP Photo/Don Hoggatt)

  • This undated photo provided by passenger Don Hoggatt, of Dallas, shows makeshift tents on the deck of the Carnival Triumph cruise ship for people to spend the day in and sleep in to escape the stench from the lower decks of the disabled ship.The Triumph arrived late Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013, in Mobile, Ala., after an engine-room fire left the ship powerless off Mexico last weekend. (AP Photo/Don Hoggatt)

  • Passengers from the disabled Carnival Triumph cruise ship arrive by bus at the Hilton Riverside Hotel in New Orleans, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013. The ship had been idled for nearly a week in the Gulf of Mexico following an engine room fire. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

  • Passengers from the disabled Carnival Triumph cruise ship arrive by bus at the Hilton Riverside Hotel in New Orleans, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013. The ship had been idled for nearly a week in the Gulf of Mexico following an engine room fire. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

  • Passengers from the disabled Carnival Triumph cruise ship arrive by bus at the Hilton Riverside Hotel in New Orleans, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013. The ship had been idled for nearly a week in the Gulf of Mexico following an engine room fire. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

  • Passengers from the disabled Carnival Triumph cruise ship arrive by bus at the Hilton Riverside Hotel in New Orleans, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013. The ship had been idled for nearly a week in the Gulf of Mexico following an engine room fire. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

  • Shienne Gadson, of San Antonio, a passenger from the disabled Carnival Triumph cruise ship, who turned 9-years-old Friday, talks to reporters with her father, Norman Gadson, after arriving by bus at the Hilton Riverside Hotel in New Orleans, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013. The Triumph had been idled for nearly a week in the Gulf of Mexico following an engine room fire. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

  • Passengers from the disabled Carnival Triumph cruise ship arrive by bus at the Hilton Riverside Hotel in New Orleans, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013. The ship had been idled for nearly a week in the Gulf of Mexico following an engine room fire. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

  • Passengers from the disabled Carnival Triumph cruise ship arrive by bus at the Hilton Riverside Hotel in New Orleans, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013. The ship had been idled for nearly a week in the Gulf of Mexico following an engine room fire. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

  • Veronica Arriaga

    Veronica Arriaga, of Angleton, Texas, a passenger from the disabled Carnival Triumph cruise ship, holds a sign referring to the red biohazard bags used as toilets, after arriving by bus at the Hilton Riverside Hotel in New Orleans, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013. The ship had been idled for nearly a week in the Gulf of Mexico following an engine room fire. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

  • Maria Hernandez

    Maria Hernandez, of Angleton, Texas, a passenger from the disabled Carnival Triumph cruise ship, tears up as she describes the ordeal to reporters after arriving by bus at the Hilton Riverside Hotel in New Orleans, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013. The ship had been idled for nearly a week in the Gulf of Mexico following an engine room fire. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

  • Carnival Triumph Arrives

    Passengers leave the Carnival Triumph after it was towed to the cruise terminal in Mobile, Ala., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013. The ship with more than 4,200 passengers and crew members has been idled for nearly a week in the Gulf of Mexico following an engine room fire. (AP Photo/AL.com, Mike Brantley)

  • Passengers of the Carnival Triumph walk to their buses after docking at the cruise terminal in Mobile, Ala., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013. The passengers will be bused to New Orleans for the night. The ship with more than 4,200 passengers and crew members has been idled for nearly a week in the Gulf of Mexico following an engine room fire.(AP Photo/Dave Martin)

  • Kendall Jenkins, left, of Houston, celebrates with Brittany Ferguson, of Houston, after getting off the Carnival Triumph in Mobile, Ala., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013. The ship with more than 4,200 passengers and crew members has been idled for nearly a week in the Gulf of Mexico following an engine room fire. (AP Photo/John David Mercer)

  • Carnival Triumph Arrives

    Passengers of the Carnival Triumph walk to their buses after docking at the cruise terminal in Mobile, Ala., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013. The passengers will be bused to New Orleans for the night. The ship with more than 4,200 passengers and crew members has been idled for nearly a week in the Gulf of Mexico following an engine room fire. (AP Photo/AL.com, Mike Brantley)

  • Carnival Triumph Arrives

    People watch from their balconies and hold up signs aboard the Carnival Triumph after it was towed to the cruise terminal in Mobile, Ala., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013. The ship with more than 4,200 passengers and crew members has been idled for nearly a week in the Gulf of Mexico following an engine room fire. (AP Photo/AL.com, Mike Brantley)

  • Gerry Cahill

    Carnival Cruise Lines CEO Gerry Cahill stands alone on the deck of the Carnival Triumph in Mobile, Ala., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013. The ship with more than 4,200 passengers and crew members had been idled for nearly a week in the Gulf of Mexico following an engine room fire before docking in Mobile. (AP Photo/G M Andrews)

  • Kristina Courson, left, of Paris, Texas, is embraced by Jamie Hilliard, of Denison, Texas, after getting off the cruise ship Carnival Triumph in Mobile, Ala., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013. The ship with more than 4,200 passengers and crew members has been idled for nearly a week in the Gulf of Mexico following an engine room fire. (AP Photo/G M Andrews)

  • Carnival Triumph Arrives

    Passengers of the Carnival Triumph walk to their buses after docking at the cruise terminal in Mobile, Ala., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013. The passengers will be bused to New Orleans for the night. The ship with more than 4,200 passengers and crew members has been idled for nearly a week in the Gulf of Mexico following an engine room fire. (AP Photo/AL.com, Mike Brantley)

  • Carnival Triumph Arrives

    Passengers of the Carnival Triumph board buses after docking at the cruise terminal in Mobile, Ala., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013. The passengers will be bused to New Orleans for the night. The ship with more than 4,200 passengers and crew members has been idled for nearly a week in the Gulf of Mexico following an engine room fire. (AP Photo/AL.com, Mike Brantley)

  • Carnival Triumph Arrives

    Then Carnival Triumph is seen behind street signs as passengers walk to their buses after docking at the cruise terminal in Mobile, Ala., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013. The passengers will be bused to New Orleans for the night. The ship with more than 4,200 passengers and crew members has been idled for nearly a week in the Gulf of Mexico following an engine room fire. (AP Photo/AL.com, Mike Brantley)

  • Carnival Triumph Arrives

    Passengers of the Carnival Triumph walk to their buses after docking at the cruise terminal in Mobile, Ala., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013. The passengers will be bused to New Orleans for the night. The ship with more than 4,200 passengers and crew members has been idled for nearly a week in the Gulf of Mexico following an engine room fire. (AP Photo/AL.com, Mike Brantley)

  • Carnival Triumph Arrives

    Passengers of the Carnival Triumph walk to their buses after docking at the cruise terminal in Mobile, Ala., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013. The passengers will be bused to New Orleans for the night. The ship with more than 4,200 passengers and crew members has been idled for nearly a week in the Gulf of Mexico following an engine room fire. (AP Photo/AL.com, Mike Brantley)

  • Carnival Triumph Arrives

    Passengers of the Carnival Triumph walk to their buses after docking at the cruise terminal in Mobile, Ala., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013. The passengers will be bused to New Orleans for the night. The ship with more than 4,200 passengers and crew members has been idled for nearly a week in the Gulf of Mexico following an engine room fire. (AP Photo/AL.com, Mike Brantley)

  • Carnival Triumph passenger Cecilia Alvarez stands wrapped in a blanket after departing the ship in Mobile, Ala., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013. The ship with more than 4,200 passengers and crew members has been idled for nearly a week in the Gulf of Mexico following an engine room fire. (AP Photo/G M Andrews)

  • A bus pulls away from the cruise terminal in Mobile, Ala., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013 after the ship Carnival Triumph docked. The ship with more than 4,200 passengers and crew members has been idled for nearly a week in the Gulf of Mexico following an engine room fire. Passengers aboard the ship were bused to New Orleans for the night. (AP Photo/John David Mercer)

  • Passengers embrace after disembarking from the cruise ship Carnival Triumph in Mobile, Ala., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013. The ship with more than 4,200 passengers and crew members has been idled for nearly a week in the Gulf of Mexico following an engine room fire. (AP Photo/John David Mercer)

  • Passengers aboard the Carnival Triumph walk along the deck before leaving the ship in Mobile, Ala., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013. The ship with more than 4,200 passengers and crew members has been idled for nearly a week in the Gulf of Mexico following an engine room fire. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

  • People watch from their balconies aboard the Carnival Triumph after it was towed to the cruise terminal in Mobile, Ala., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013. The ship with more than 4,200 passengers and crew members idled for nearly a week in the Gulf of Mexico following an engine room fire. (AP Photo/G M Andrews)

  • A crew member watches the activity on the dock after the Carnival Triumph was towed to the cruise terminal in Mobile, Ala., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013. The ship with more than 4,200 passengers and crew members has been idled for nearly a week in the Gulf of Mexico following an engine room fire. (AP Photo/John David Mercer)

  • The cruise ship Carnival Triumph is towed up the Mobile River in Mobile, Ala., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013. The ship with more than 4,200 passengers and crew members has been idled for nearly a week in the Gulf of Mexico following an engine room fire. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

  • Gerry Cahill

    Carnival Cruise Lines President and CEO, Gerry Cahill talks with reporters in Mobile, Ala., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013. The Carnival Triumph is docked at rear after spending nearly a week idled in the Gulf of Mexico with more than 4,200 passengers and crew members following an engine room fire. (AP Photo/John David Mercer)

  • People watch from their balconies and hold up signs aboard the Carnival Triumph after it was towed to the cruise terminal in Mobile, Ala., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013. The ship with more than 4,200 passengers and crew members has been idled for nearly a week in the Gulf of Mexico following an engine room fire. (AP Photo/John David Mercer)

  • The cruise ship Carnival Triumph is pushed towards the cruise terminal along the Mobile River in Mobile, Ala., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013. The ship with more than 4,200 passengers and crew members was idled for nearly a week in the Gulf of Mexico following an engine room fire. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

  • The sun sets as the cruise ship Carnival Triumph is towed into Mobile Bay near Dauphin Island, Ala., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013. The ship with more than 4,200 passengers and crew members has been idled for nearly a week in the Gulf of Mexico following an engine room fire. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

  • The cruise ship Carnival Triumph is towed up the Mobile River in Mobile, Ala., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013. The ship with more than 4,200 passengers and crew members has been idled for nearly a week in the Gulf of Mexico following an engine room fire. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

  • In this aerial photo, the cruise ship Carnival Triumph is towed into Mobile Bay, Ala. Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013. The ship with more than 4,200 passengers and crew members has been idled for nearly a week in the Gulf of Mexico following an engine room fire. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

  • This Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013 photo, provided by Kalin Hill, of Houston, shows passengers with makeshift tents on the the deck of the Carnival Triumph cruise ship at sea in the Gulf of Mexico. The ship nearing Mobile Bay is without engine power and is being towed by tugboats. (AP Photo/Kalin Hill)

  • This Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013 photo, provided by Kalin Hill, of Houston, shows passengers with makeshift tents on the the deck of the Carnival Triumph cruise ship at sea in the Gulf of Mexico. The ship nearing Mobile Bay is without engine power and is being towed by tugboats. (AP Photo/Kalin Hill)

  • This Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013 photo, provided by Kalin Hill, of Houston, shows passengers with makeshift tents on the the deck of the Carnival Triumph cruise ship at sea in the Gulf of Mexico. The ship nearing Mobile Bay is without engine power and is being towed by tugboats. (AP Photo/Kalin Hill)

  • Residents sit on the shore and watch as the cruise ship Carnival Triumph is visible near Dauphin Island, Ala., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013. The ship with over 1,000 passengers aboard has been idled for nearly a week in the Gulf of Mexico following an engine room fire. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

  • Terry Thornton, senior VP of Carnival Cruise Lines addresses the media outside the Alabama Cruise Terminal in Mobile, Ala. on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013. After days stranded in the Gulf of Mexico in conditions some have described as dismal, most passengers aboard the disabled Carnival Triumph can look forward to a two-hour bus ride Thursday after they reach dry land. (AP Photo/Jay Reeves)

  • In a Feb. 12, 2013 photo provided by the U.S. Coast Guard, the tugs Resolve Pioneer and Dabhol, left, tow and steer the 893-foot Carnival Triumph cruise ship in the Gulf of Mexico. The ship is enroute to Mobile, Ala., after an engine room fire on Sunday, Feb. 10 left the ship powerless. Carnival Cruise Lines on Wednesday canceled voyages through April on the Triumph, a ship that has been plagued by mechanical problems .The ship has more than 4,000 people on board, some of whom have told relatives conditions on board the ship are dismal, and they have limited access to food and bathrooms. (AP Photo/U.S. Coast Guard, Ensign Chris Shivock)

  • Rusty and Beth Adkins of Noblesville, Ind., await the arrival of their 18-year-old daughter Brianna aboard the disabled Carnival Triumph in Mobile, Ala., on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013. The teenager went on a cruise with four aunts and cousins. Rusty Adkins is holding his 1-year-old son Brocktyn Adkins. (AP Photo/Jay Reeves)