April Numbers: MSNBC…
MSNBC put out a release noting its April ratings results…
MSNBC’s month end ratings for April, 2007 show the network on a steady upward climb. According to Nielsen Media Research Data, the network showed the strongest total viewer growth of any other cable news network over a year ago, up +33% in total day (333,000 v. 250,000). In addition, the network’s primetime lineup (M-F, 8:00 to 11:00 pm ET) continued to shine, up +52% in total viewers (584,000 v. 383,000) and up +60% in the adult 25-54 demographic (232,000 v. 145,000).
MSNBC’s daytime programming block (M-F, 9:00 to 6:00 pm ET) also grew at a steady pace, up +58% in total viewers over a year ago (331,000 v. 209,000), and up +59% in the demo (121,000 v. 76,000). This includes “Tucker” at 4:00 pm, which was up a significant +60% in total viewers (369,000 v. 230,000) and even more in the demo, with +73% (130,000 v. 75,000), and “Hardball with Chris Matthews” at 5:00 pm, which was up +47% in total viewers (470,000 v. 319,000) and up +47% in the demo (154,000 v. 105,000).
The 6:00 pm ET edition of “Tucker” also grew +11% in total viewers (315,000 v. 284,000) and +9% in the demo (118,000 v. 108,000) and the 7:00 pm ET “Hardball with Chris Matthews” increased +31% in total viewers (572,000 v. 436,000) and +33% (204,000 v. 153,000) in the demo.
“Countdown with Keith Olbermann” (8:00 to 9:00 pm ET) continues its ratings surge, up a whopping +81% in total viewers (818,000 v. 452,000) and +73% in the demo (292,000 v. 169,000) over a year ago. “Countdown” maintained its lead over CNN, with a +9% advantage in total viewers and a +7% advantage in the demo. CNN delivered 749,000 total viewers and 273,000 in the demo for the month.At 9:00 pm (ET), where MSNBC telecasts “Scarborough Country” Monday through Thursday, the network continued its impressive growth, up +41% in total viewers (538,000 v. 382,000) and up +58% in the demo (218,000 v. 138,000).
MSNBC’s “doc block” (M-F 10:00-midnight) also grew substantially, up +41% in total viewers (391,000 v. 278,000) and up +63% in the demo, (186,000 v. 114,000).
I don’t know, it feels kind of creepy to crow about “numbers” when benefitting from the happenstance of a physco killer sending your station a “media manifesto” or “dragging” out the firing of one of your employees. Oh well, thats showbiz, I guess. Way to go CAPUS!
Comment by Obama in 08! — May 1, 2007 @ 2:50 pm
And when you start out with zero viewers i guess an increase of just a few looks huge on paper. Bottom line: They’re still getting their butts handed to them on a daily basis by Fox.
Comment by Alison — May 1, 2007 @ 3:06 pm
Obama ‘08, very good point. I can’t believe they’d go to all the trouble to issue a press release without mentioning the two significant causal factors that affected their ratings for a good part of the month of April.
Comment by Missy — May 1, 2007 @ 3:08 pm
Isn’t it kind of repetitive? We all know their #’s suck last year and it got better during the fall. Are they going to do this every month up till about the fall time when they stop cause there’s no more growth in the #’s?
Comment by Lurker — May 1, 2007 @ 3:19 pm
And no mention of that little problem in the morning!
Comment by Ira — May 1, 2007 @ 3:23 pm
MSNBC is no different than CNN or FNC when it comes to touting their ratings gains etc. I’m sure the other two will soon be releasing some sort of PR statement on their April numbers.
Comment by myview — May 1, 2007 @ 3:27 pm
It’s completely ridiculous to come onto a cable news board and bash a network for touting ratings gains on the back of a tragic event. That’s what 24hr news is all about - ratings rise during coverage of tragedies like 9/11, Iraq, Katrina. Do you think they should be ashamed of this and hide the fact?
I didn’t think MSNBC got that much of a raise on the back of Virginia Tech, anyway, acoording to the figures posted on here.
Comment by Mr A — May 1, 2007 @ 3:37 pm
“Ratings rise during tragedies” - okay that’s a given, should they hide this fact, no. But I think it’s demeaning to it’s viewers to tout them. Like we aren’t aware of this. If we all know the ratings go up, ( and NBC gives us credit for realizing this ) then why do they feel compelled to tout them.
Comment by Jim — May 1, 2007 @ 3:45 pm
MSNBC’s “manifesto parade” of the V-Tech tragedy was nothing short of pornographic. They can stroke themselves
all they want with the up-tick in ratings…just underscores
how they’ll prostitute themselves to snake charm advertisers
(after so many bailed unfairly over the Imus railroading) back in to the fold. Capus Shmapus!
Comment by Dennis — May 1, 2007 @ 5:15 pm
This is getting so redundant. Every month “look at how great our numbers are”… when anyone with half a brain can see they still suck… they sucked last month… and they’ll suck again next month!
I can appreciate the “Rah-rah-rah hooray us” they’re trying to do… but at this point, it’s coming across as though they’re detached from the sad reality that is MSNBC.
Comment by ImNotBlue — May 1, 2007 @ 5:30 pm
When will Capus be fired for his awful April month. Time to go back to Jr. High and learn how to grow a beard. Take Roker with you!!
Bring Back the IMAN
Comment by WhereISDon — May 1, 2007 @ 10:13 pm
Funny, I didn’t see the April ratings for the morning time slot of 6 to 9 a.m. It is rather misleading to leave those out, don’t you think?
Comment by Anne B. — May 1, 2007 @ 10:44 pm
It still is better to be growing than to be stagnant thats the point.
Comment by Sam — May 2, 2007 @ 12:41 am