MSNBC slipped to third in total day this month, delivering its lowest average in nearly seven years — since October 2007. In primetime, the network managed to hang on to second place in total viewers, but placed third in the A25-54 demographic.
The ratings for April 2014 (Nielsen Live + Same Day data):
- Primetime (Mon-Sun): 612,000 Total Viewers / 173,000 A25-54
- Total Day (Mon-Sun): 356,000 Total Viewers / 112,000 A25-54
Compared to the same month last year, MSNBC was down -12% in total viewers and -19% in A25-54 viewers in total day. In primetime, the network was down -10% and -26%, respectively. Although April 2013 was a busy news month with the Boston Marathon bombings, MSNBC did not see much of a bump this time last year.
MSNBC’s daytime programming struggled in April. The newest daytime programs — “Ronan Farrow Daily” and “The Reid Report” — have so far failed to move the ratings needle. Farrow’s program averaged 238,000 total viewers and 67,000 A25-54 viewers and Joy Reid’s averaged 266,000 and 72,000, respectively; in total viewers, it was the lowest rated month in the 1pmET timeslot since 2007 and in the 2pmET timeslot since 2010.
“Morning Joe” slipped to third among the cable news morning shows in April, delivering its lowest-rated month in total viewers since December 2009.
All three of MSNBC’s primetime shows were down across the board compared to April 2013: “All In with Chris Hayes” was down -7% in total viewers and -27% in the demo, “The Rachel Maddow Show” was down -4% in total viewers and -32% int the demo, and “The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell” was down -19% and -33%, respectively.