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Year Ends with Strong Fourth Quarter-Up 22%
SECAUCUS, NJ - January 3, 2007 - MSNBC was the only cable news
network to increase viewership in both total viewers and the key 25-54
demographic in 2006. The network was up 8% in total viewers (263,000)
and 12% in the 25-54 demographic (111,000), according to Nielsen Media
Research data. In total viewers CNN (-7%), Fox News Channel (-14%) and
Headline News (-7%) were all down in 2006. The trend continued in
primetime, with MSNBC posting a 6% gain in total viewers (385,000) and
an 8% increase in the demo (159,000). CNN lost 12% of its primetime
audience, Fox News Channel was down 20% and Headline News dipped 4% for
the year in primetime.
Even more impressive was MSNBC's fourth quarter performance. The
network posted gains of 22% in total viewers (303,000) and 41% in the
demo (131,000) for the quarter. In primetime, MSNBC was up 28% in total
viewers (467,000) and 34% in the demo (191,000).
In addition, each of MSNBC's primetime programs increased viewership for
the year. "Hardball with Chris Matthews" posted a 4% increase (410,000)
at 7 p.m. ET, while CNN (-4%) and Fox News Channel (-13%) were both
down. At 8 p.m. ET, "Countdown with Keith Olbermann" scored MSNBC's
highest full-year ratings ever for the time period, gaining an
impressive 24% for the year (479,000), while CNN (-16%) and Fox News
Channel (-15%) both posted double-digit declines. In the fourth
quarter, "Countdown" was up an incredible 60% in total viewers (656,000)
and 67% in the demo (252,000). At 9 p.m. ET, where the network has
telecast "Scarborough Country" since April, viewership has increased 5%
for the year (387,000). This growth was propelled by a 28% increase in
the fourth quarter (487,000). CNN (-14%) and Fox News Channel (-19%)
both lost viewers for the year at 9 p.m. ET. The "doc block" also
posted impressive gains at 10 and 11 pm ET. For fourth quarter, MSNBC
was up 15% in total viewers (385,000) and 34% in the demo (169,000) at
10 p.m. ET and 66% in total viewers (378,000) and 92% in the demo
(192,000) at 11 p.m. ET.
A chart with year-end numbers for all cable news networks is below:
TOTAL DAY
P2+ (vs. '05) A25-54
(vs. '05)
MSNBC 263,000 (+8%) 111,000 (+12%)
CNN 477,000 (-7%) 165,000 (-5%)
FNC 824,000 (-14%) 246,000 (-18%)
Headline 218,000 (-7%) 92,000 (-7%)
PRIMETIME (Mon-Sun)
MSNBC 385,000 (+6%) 159,000 (+8%)
CNN 753,000 (-12%) 225,000 (-17%)
FNC 1,412,000 (-20%) 347,000 (-25%)
Headline 335,000 (-4%) 124,000 (-3%)
