Bolstered by the Casey Anthony trial — which delivered the network its best ratings ever in 2011 — HLN had a solid showing this year, posting a +20% increase in total day viewers and an +11% increase in primetime viewers.
The ratings for 2011:
- Primetime (Mon-Sun): 490,000 total viewers / 145,000 A25-54
- Total Day (Mon-Sun): 329,000 total viewers / 118,000 A25-54
The programs that were particularly strong for HLN in 2011 were the late afternoon hours: between 2pm and 5pmET, all of HLN’s programming was up significantly compared to 2010. The 4pmET hour of “HLN News” showed the most growth, posting gains of +104% in total viewers and +48% in demographic viewers. Success continued through the early hours of primetime, with double-digit growth in both ratings measurements for the 5pm and 6pmET hours.
Deeper into primetime, however, HLN’s ratings were more of a mixed bag, especially among younger viewers. Nancy Grace’s 8pmET program was up +7% in total viewers and down -2% in the demographic. The 10pmET hour of programming, home in 2011 to Joy Behar and last year to a re-air of Grace’s program, was up +7% in total viewers and down -19% in the demographic.
“Morning Express with Robin Meade” showed a similar pattern, up +4% in total viewers but down -15% in the demographic.