MSNBC put out a release noting its Q3 numbers. Note the headline though: “3Q Cable News Ratings: MSNBC UP, CNN and FNC DOWN”

MSNBC completed yet another quarter with spectacular ratings increases. While the other cable news networks lost viewers, MSNBC maintained its position as the fastest growing cable news channel for the fourth consecutive quarter. In 3Q07 total day, MSNBC was up +22% in total viewers over third quarter 2006 (321,000 v. 264,000) and up +15% in the key adult 25-54 demographic (135,000 v. 117,000), according to Nielsen Media Research data. In total viewers, CNN was down -9% (501,000 v. 549,000) and Fox News Channel was down -10% (805,000 v. 896,000).

In primetime (M-F 8:00-11:00 p.m., ET), MSNBC was up a substantial +53% in total viewers (571,000 v. 373,000) and +49% in the adult demo (227,000 v. 152,000), while CNN was down –6% (901,000 v. 960,000), and Fox News Channel was also down -6% in total viewers (1,601,000 v. 1,711,000).

At 7:00 p.m. “Hardball with Chris Matthews” was up a strong +18% in total viewers (414,000 v. 350,000) and +7% in the adult demo (141,000 v. 132,000). In total viewers, CNN was down –4% and Fox News declined -3% at 7:00 p.m.

“Countdown with Keith Olbermann” (8:00 – 9:00 p.m. ET) continues its amazing growth surge, up +73% in total viewers (744,000 v. 429,000) and +56% in the adult demo (266,000 v. 170,000) while CNN dropped –11% in total viewers (649,000 v. 728,000) and Fox News Channel was basically flat +1% in total viewers (2,102,000 v. 2,073,000). “Countdown” maintained its position in second place at 8:00 p.m, with a 15% advantage in total viewers over CNN.

At 9:00 p.m. (ET), where the network telecasts “Live with Dan Abrams” Monday through Thursday and documentary programming on Friday, the network also enjoyed significant growth, up +37% in total viewers (491,000 v. 358,000) and up +41% in the adult demo (192,000 v. 136,000). CNN was down -2% in total viewers (1,157,000 v. 1,179,000), and Fox News Channel was down -10% in total viewers (1,468,000 v. 1,638,000).

The network’s “doc block” (M-F 10:00 p.m. – midnight), also saw very strong growth, with a +46% increase in total viewers (474,000 v. 325,000) and a +51% increase in the adult demo (232,000 v. 154,000). CNN was down -8% in total viewers from 10 p.m. to midnight (743,000 v. 809,000) and Fox News Channel was down -12% in total viewers (1,110,000 v. 1,261,000).