from ETP
Via TVNewser, we saw today that the Hollywood Reporter is, well, reporting that MSNBC has enjoyed double-digit gains in viewership for the month of October. "Countdown" with Keith Olbermann is up 67% (61% in the 25-54 demo) compared with October 2005; THR notes that Bill O'Reilly still clobbers with 2.1 million viewers, but that it beat out CNN's Paula Zahn in the demo and came close in viewership. "Scarborough Country"* is up 13% and "Hardball" up 27% in the demo, and Don Imus is also doing well in the AM slot. MSNBC GM Dan Abrams attributes the rise to the cabler having "found its voice" but is cautious: "We still have a ways to go. One month does not make ratings success, but this is certainly the right direction." This may have something to do with the fact that Fox News leads the pack...for the 250th straight week.
Also clearly finding a voice: THR reporter Paul Gough, whose byline rang a very recent bell, mostly because we'd just seen it re: Brit Hume leading Fox's election coverage (which we linked earlier today), as well as atop the report that CBS swept the Emmy nominations for Business & Financial Reporting, with 15 noms to nearest competitor NBC's five. Gough also wrote today's network ratings stories, about ABC's "Desperate Housewives" taking Sunday as CBS took the week; on NBC's "Heroes" and "Deal Or No Deal" taking Monday primetime for NBC; and the story on Fox's "House" and ABC's "Dancing With The Stars" leading Tuesday primetime (oops, that's dated tomorrow — the early bird gets the worm!).
Upshot: Paul Gough and Dan Abrams are very busy guys.
*Disclosure: I (ETP editor Rachel Sklar) have made numerous appearances on "Scarborough Country" and totally take credit for all gains.
