CNN ratings in 2011 show improvement; Fox remains the leader
For each of the three major news networks in 2011, there was good news and bad news, depending on how you spin it.
Fox News could take comfort that it remains the dominant ratings leader, drawing more viewers than CNN and MSNBC combined both during the entire day and prime time. It averaged 1.1 million total day and 1.9 million viewers each night. Its top 11 shows all exceeded 1 million viewers each, a figure no CNN or MSNBC program achieved. It has remained the news leader for the past decade.
Ratings, however, were down about 8 percent year over year and 14 percent in the 25 to 54 year old demographic during prime time and 5 percent overall. (Its 2010 numbers were boosted by the mid-term elections and will likely go up again during the 2012 presidential election year.)
It lost viewers at the 5 p.m. hour, where “The Five” replaced Glenn Beck mid year but the network said advertisers are more welcoming to the new show than Beck.
Atlanta-based CNN bounced back from a dismal 2010 and gained 17 percent in total viewers and an impressive 29 percent among 25 to 54 year olds, fueled by big international news stories such as the Arab Spring, the Japanese earthquake and Osama bin Laden’s death. At night, CNN is still third behind MSNBC, which won the 25-to-54 demo race for a third year in a row, but edged back to second total day.
Piers Morgan. CREDIT: AP
At 9 p.m., CNN brought in Piers Morgan, who improved upon Larry King’s last-year numbers, and moved Anderson Cooper to 8 p.m. (with a repeat at 10 p.m.) after a short-lived effort with Eliot Spitzer. CNN also added Erin Burnett in the fall at 7 p.m.. And in 2012, Soledad O’Brien returns to mornings, where CNN lags behind “Morning Joe” on MSNBC as well as “Fox and Friends.”
But outside of 2010, CNN’s 2011 performance was still its second worst in 15 years, according to data collected by tvbythenumbers.com. During primetime, the network averaged 689,000 viewers, up from 590,000 in 2010 but way behind the 1.3 million in 2008.
Despite losing Keith Olbermann, MSNBC survived in prime time, gaining two percent year over year and averaging 775,000 viewers a night, though it was down 11 percent in Olbermann’s spot.
Atlanta-based HLN’s numbers were up 20 percent, boosted heavily by Casey Anthony coverage. Interestingly, Nancy Grace’s overall raitngs were up 7 percent but among 25 to 54 year olds, it actually dropped 19 percent, according to data collected by TVNewser.
Join my Facebook fan page and Twitter.
By Rodney Ho, Radio & TV Talk
accessAtlanta Partner Sites
Sections
Advertise on accessAtlanta.com »
Reach the audience you want by advertising on accessAtlanta.com
Join the Access Atlanta Network »
Advertisers and Publishers, expand your reach by joining the Access Atlanta Network.
Tell us what you think about the site
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement | About our ads
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
297 comments Add your comment
Into the Light - OTH Day 2
December 29th, 2011
1:24 pm
I’m trying to stay on task today, really I am….but kimchee in the microwave is making it hard to concentrate.
NH
December 29th, 2011
1:30 pm
I don’t care if you are vacationing in an igloo in Siberia, you can post a topic or make arrangements for someone to do it for you.
Even though there were times when Larry King asked stupid azz questions; I haven’t been able to get into Pier Morgan. Maybe I’m biased toward his accent. I did watch his recent interview with Mary J Blige.
I like AC360 but I hold my nose at times to watch Hannity or O’Riley. Recently, I began to watch some of MSNBC programs.
Beautiful day, gotta get outside
Leggs - Occupying the Ho Analyst
December 29th, 2011
1:32 pm
I agree NH…she could have forewarned us…she left us out in the cold unarmed for the weather.
Yes, went to take out garbage and realized it’s beautiful outside.
Celisea....Occupying the Ho
December 29th, 2011
1:36 pm
Yeah because I started this morning with work drama…lol Big clients, big money ALWAYS ALWAYS comes with drama. Can’t have one without the other.
How about this:
You’re on vacay and didn’t respond on any emails yesterday so I did all the approving for everything. You was dang ghost…mute, no sound from you, N A D A…laptop turned off. Come today, we have folks wiring funds….BUT NO FUNDS YET SUPPLIED. Me? I have the authority but I never touch these kind of issues (just like the can you give me $1MM….ummm not!). Yeah, CMA (CYA), I send a quick note to your mgr’s(the Market Exec) BB for him to approve. Guess what, he too is vacationing but I know him, he’s ALWAYS on standby and responded with an approval lickity split.
Theeeeeen here you come “hey Merry Christmas, you did the right thing but could you give me an hour or so to respond next time before sending to him?” Ummm, no. You didn’t dang respond on ANYTHING yesterday, how the hell did I know you sitting there looking?? Yeah, I do that too with my laptop from my bed so I know it happens. You just don’t want him to call you on it. Yeah everybody went dang ghost with no backup plans.
I’m smiling and still giggly and feeling all holidayish but you got dang big dollar clients and you’re clocking…STAY CONNECTED!!!
Sorry Rodney
NH
December 29th, 2011
1:36 pm
Enjoy the weather and your time off Leggs because I heard the first two weeks of Jan will be quite cold. I know how you Love the cold LOL
Celisea....Occupying the Ho
December 29th, 2011
1:38 pm
I agree NH. She use to post a disclaimer that the blog would be closed for so many days. I agree.
Celisea....Occupying the Ho
December 29th, 2011
1:39 pm
Back to work…several of those issues popping up today. Call some CFO on his cell. Yeah, I’m breaking up the holiday festivities when your asking for millions but didn’t put in there….I tell you…people. Gotta run
Into the Light - OTH Day 2
December 29th, 2011
1:41 pm
Y’all are making me jealous with the talk of a beautiful day…. *sigh*
Ummm, NH? Have we met?
Kym-Occupying the Ho Committee Member-Day2
December 29th, 2011
1:41 pm
I am back..its lunchtime around this camp..I am ready for the weekend…
NH
December 29th, 2011
1:43 pm
Celisea~that’s why you have been there 15 yrs. They can depend on you.
Of course ITL
Celisea....Occupying the Ho
December 29th, 2011
1:44 pm
I’m curiour NH…hint?
Not to brag but sooo soooo true
Celisea....Occupying the Ho
December 29th, 2011
1:46 pm
K…got 14 minutes to hit the cafe…brb…give us a clue NH
Into the Light - OTH Day 2
December 29th, 2011
1:47 pm
Hmmmm, NH…..what could NH stand for?
Not Happenin’
Northern Heat
Nice Hubby
New Hickey
Can I have a hint, NH????
Kym-Occupying the Ho Committee Member-Day2
December 29th, 2011
1:49 pm
Well Celisea are ya’ll hiring?
NH
December 29th, 2011
1:49 pm
You’ll have to go through “central office” for the ID
Into the Light - OTH Day 2
December 29th, 2011
1:52 pm
LOL@NH.
I need to make an emergency run to Starbucks. We have coffee here, but not it’s not the caffeine-crazed java jolt you get at the Starbucks.
Leggs - Occupying the Ho Analyst
December 29th, 2011
1:54 pm
@NH ~ I am so enjoying my time off. House clean, food in fridge, some snacks in cabinet, liquor in the cabinet….I’m good.
NH
December 29th, 2011
1:55 pm
You got 1 out of 4 ITL
This is my moniker when I’m on RH site. If you go to the sports blogs, different moniker. Probably about 5 different monikers total.
Kym-Occupying the Ho Committee Member-Day2
December 29th, 2011
1:56 pm
New Hampshire? New Hip?
Kym-Occupying the Ho Committee Member-Day2
December 29th, 2011
1:56 pm
No Hands?
Leggs - Occupying the Ho Analyst
December 29th, 2011
1:57 pm
Come on folk…you all know NH (LOL).
Leggs - Occupying the Ho Analyst
December 29th, 2011
1:57 pm
Especially you, Celisea (LOLOLOL)….
Leggs - Occupying the Ho Analyst
December 29th, 2011
1:58 pm
LOL @ New Hip.
Into the Light - OTH Day 2
December 29th, 2011
1:59 pm
Nude Haberdasher?
Into the Light - OTH Day 2
December 29th, 2011
1:59 pm
Naughty Hunk?
Into the Light - OTH Day 2
December 29th, 2011
2:00 pm
Nosey Heifer??
SexyCool - OTH
December 29th, 2011
2:01 pm
There are other issues at play.
Celisea....Occupying the Ho
December 29th, 2011
2:01 pm
Kym – I don’t know if I would invite somebody to join this place…it’s ain’t all bad but it’s a beast some days…lol I’m not complaing though. It’s nice to have a job…period
Let’s me think…NH?
Celisea....Occupying the Ho
December 29th, 2011
2:02 pm
Dreams?
Leggs - Occupying the Ho Analyst
December 29th, 2011
2:02 pm
Nosey Hiefer is straight up FUNNY!
Celisea....Occupying the Ho
December 29th, 2011
2:03 pm
I said that for a reason Leggs.
Need Help
Not Here (lol)
Nice Hams (lol)
Nice Hair
SexyCool - OTH
December 29th, 2011
2:03 pm
NH – do ya’ run?
Celisea....Occupying the Ho
December 29th, 2011
2:04 pm
Ummmm,
Not Him
Not Her
No Hate
Leggs – Your coworker that I met?
Kym-Occupying the Ho Committee Member-Day2
December 29th, 2011
2:04 pm
@Leggs…girl I am so ready for the weekend I am just punchy..
WHO IS NH? Just like Who shot JR?
Celisea....Occupying the Ho
December 29th, 2011
2:06 pm
I give up…tell me
Leggs - Occupying the Ho Analyst
December 29th, 2011
2:07 pm
Not Dreams.
Celisea....Occupying the Ho
December 29th, 2011
2:09 pm
We know not Melo. I don’t think Demigod.
Leggs - Occupying the Ho Analyst
December 29th, 2011
2:09 pm
I’m not at liberty to reveal the identity…only they can (LOLOL).
Celisea....Occupying the Ho
December 29th, 2011
2:10 pm
Since ITL got 1 out of 4 right, I’m guessing “Nice Hubby”…ey?
Into the Light - OTH Day 2
December 29th, 2011
2:10 pm
I didn’t see any mention of ZZZZIIIIIIPPPPP, so it’s not For Real.
Into the Light - OTH Day 2
December 29th, 2011
2:12 pm
Where are Swiss and Randyt??? I don’t have anyone to talk football with….
Celisea....Occupying the Ho
December 29th, 2011
2:13 pm
1/2 tuna and Sun Chips for lunch
NH
December 29th, 2011
2:15 pm
SC~only if I’m chased by a mean f-ing dog. That’s why I keep a #4 (1/2″) rebar next to my garage door.
Kym-Occupying the Ho Committee Member-Day2
December 29th, 2011
2:17 pm
I like football..GO STEELERS!!
Celisea....Occupying the Ho
December 29th, 2011
2:17 pm
I guess I could have typed “half”
NH
December 29th, 2011
2:20 pm
ITL~ did you read where the #1 high school qb has committed to LSU? As they say, the rich gets richer and the strong gets stronger.
How do you feel about UGA ducking out of AL and playing MIZ instead?
SexyCool - OTH
December 29th, 2011
2:21 pm
Yeah…I have no idea. Oh well….
Into the Light - OTH Day 2
December 29th, 2011
2:22 pm
NH: They didn’t “duck” out. Those decisions were made by the conference in order to accommodate Mizzou and Tex A&M!
Into the Light - OTH Day 2
December 29th, 2011
2:23 pm
Kym: You like football? Well alright!!
I’m first and foremost a college fan, but I like pro, too. GO BIRDS!
Celisea....Occupying the Ho
December 29th, 2011
2:24 pm
And a pickle…defintely have to have 2 kosher pickle spears when eating whole sandwiches… No pickles, no sandwich.