Quarter numbers data…
Paul J. Gough in the Hollywood Reporter writes about how Katrina affected the 3rd Quarter ratings for the cable networks….
Hurricane Katrina coverage helped boost ratings at the four cable news channels in the third quarter, with CNN and MSNBC posting their best viewership levels since the Iraq war started in the second quarter of 2003, according to Nielsen Media Research data issued Tuesday.
Fox News, which was already having a standout summer, jumped 31% over the year-ago period in total day to 1.2 million viewers and 29% in primetime to 2.3 million viewers, Nielsen said.
CNN averaged 693,000 viewers in total day (up 39%) and 1.1 million in primetime (up 29%). MSNBC averaged 300,000 viewers in total day (up 11%) and 471,000 in primetime (up 12%).
It was a split decision for MSNBC, which has been suffering under an assault from the newly rejuvenated Headline News primetime lineup, particularly “Nancy Grace.” MSNBC reclaimed third place in cable news in total day but yielded to Headline News in primetime due to “Nancy Grace.” Headline News averaged 267,000 viewers in total day (up 32%) and had 471,000 viewers in primetime (up 108%).
CNN said the demo gap between itself and top-rated Fox was the lowest it had been in years, with only 19% separating them in adults 25-54. Fox News said it was only in September.
I didn’t realize that CNN was so far behind Fox. The way some people go on about it you’d think it was an actual contest. CNN is closer to MSNBC.
Comment by Roxxy — September 28, 2005 @ 10:03 am
The only contest in cable news is between CNN, Headline News and MSNBC for 2nd, 3rd and 4th place.
Comment by JM — September 28, 2005 @ 10:43 am
I was reading a lot about quarter ratings yesterday on TV Newser…they seem to be more important than monthly ratings.
Comment by Steve — September 28, 2005 @ 11:27 am
I earlier read yesterday’s ratings on tvnewer.com and ftvlive.com. I love reading the ratings. Why is this cable news blog alsays so late on giving us the ratings?
Comment by Mia — September 28, 2005 @ 6:19 pm
He tries…sometimes ICN has the numbers before TVN, sometimes its the other way around. No biggie.
But back to the topic, I think the quarter ratings reflect the overall ratings better vs. daily or monthly as it smooths out the volitility from certain newsmakers (and the effects they have on the numbers)
Comment by Anonymous — September 28, 2005 @ 11:08 pm