The May numbers are out and CNN is touting Demo gains…

CNN GAINS VIEWERS IN MAY 2006

The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer UP 58%; Anderson Cooper 360 UP 53%; Lou Dobbs Tonight UP 85% in P25-54

Lou Dobbs Tonight continues to garner viewers in all demos, up a staggering 94% in total viewers

HLN Glenn Beck premieres with 58% increase total viewers at 7pm

CNN included a PDF showing The Situation Room narrowing the Demo gap between itself and its competing programs on FNC…

The Situation Room has increased audience by double digits versus a year ago

4pm: Up 36% in P2+ and Up 55% in P25-54
5pm: Up 26% in P2+ and Up 58% in P25-54
7pm: Up 36% in P2+ and Up 42% in P25-54

The Situation Room has narrowed the gap with FNC in the advertiser-coveted P25-54 demo significantly.

CNN also talked about Anderson Cooper 360’s Demo numbers…

Anderson Cooper 360 is up both hours of his show versus prior year while FNC’s On The Record is down.

10pm: Up 40% in P2+ and Up 24% in P25-54
11pm: Up 77% in P2+ and Up 102% in P25-54
10-12M block: Up 53% in P2+ and Up 53% in P25-54

Anderson Cooper 360 narrowed the P25-54 gap with FNC from 136% to 34% versus prior year.

May06 vs. May05

CNN 10-12 - 214,000 vs. 140,000
FNC 10-12 - 286,ooo vs. 330,000
GAP 10-12 - 34% vs. 136%

Lou Dobbs Tonight continues to exhibit explosive growth over year-ago while FNC’s Special Report only rises among P55+.

Up 94% in P2+ and Up 85% in P25-54

Lou Dobbs Tonight reduced the P25-54 gap with FNC Special Report with Brit Hume from 146% to 11%.

Headline News gains audience in key hours

In the first three weeks of HLN’s most recent show, Glenn Beck at 7pm is up double digits versus a year ago.

Up 40% in P2+ and Up 57% in P25-54
Up 100% in P18-34
Up 65% in P18-49

Prime News increases audience in all demos in its new 6pm time period.

Up 22% in P2+ and Up 42% in P25-54
Up 145% in P18-34
Up 61% in P18-49

Showbiz Tonight gains audience across the board at 11pm.

Up 31% in P2+ and Up 27% in P25-54
Up 76% in P18-34
Up 24% in P18-49

CNN also included a PDF showing the May 06 vs. May 05 numbers for the networks