Originally set to run through Super Tuesday II, then extended through the end of last week, TVNewser has learned America’s Election HQ will continue indefinitely during the 5pmET hour on FNC.
Bill Hemmer and Megyn Kelly (when she returns from her honeymoon) will serve as the permanent co-anchors.
TVNewser hears John Gibson and Heather Nauert, co-anchors of the previous 5pmET show, Big Story, will continue to play a role in the 5pmET hour as well as during other FNC programs.
With the political primary season continuing throughout March and April, the move appears to be based on the election focus of the show.
But the ratings game also plays in Hemmer and Kelly’s favor.
The new 5pmET show has seen increases in both Total Viewers and in the A25-54 demo since America’s Election HQ began airing. The two-week average, excluding last Friday (the ratings have yet to be released), for America’s Election HQ is 218,000 viewers in the demo and 1,037,000 total. During the preceding two weeks, with Big Story airing, the hour averaged 212,000 in the demo and 1,009,000 million total.
Hemmer and Kelly have provided FNC strong ratings in their other show, America’s Newsroom (from 9-11amET). During February 2008, the show nearly doubled its closest competition, CNN Newsroom, in total viewers and won the A25-54 demo. It has seen gains of 20% in total viewers and 10% in the demo year-to-year.