MSNBC GM Dan Abrams believes the last two months of political coverage (and the resulting ratings) “represent a major turning point at this network.” In a memo to staff, he says he is “confident we will continue to build on that success as we head into 2008 and beyond.”
Abrams says MSNBC “had the best competitive ratings in recent memory for a major news event” on Election Day. Click continued for the full memo…
Wow! The ratings are in for last night and all of your hard work leading up to this historic election was appreciated by our viewers. We had the best competitive ratings in recent memory for a major news event. On Election Day in both 2002 and 2004, just 17% of the 25-54 cable news audience turned to us. This year, that number was up to 24%!
In prime time from 7p to 2am, we had 23% of that audience, up from 15% in 2002 and 17% in 2004. We were up 111% in that key demographic and 107% in total viewers from 2002. In fact, for the total day we were up 81% in the demo and 75% in total viewers. What a remarkable difference! In that key demographic, we even beat CNN from 6a to 9a, again at noon, and we bested Fox at midnight!
It’s no accident. The days and days of planning paid off. In most cases, we were first, and more important, in every case we were right. There was “Team Tammy’s” meticulous preparation and then performance in the control room; the smart, witty and exciting anchor team, guests and correspondents; the bright, elegant and informative graphics and set; the floor crews and TPMs who handed in game day performances; and who can forget those edgy, fun and clever promos?
You made “all politics, all the time” a huge hit topped off with a fantastic finish to this campaign season. I believe these last two months represent a major turning point at this network and am confident we will continue to build on that success as we head into 2008 and beyond. Thank you for all of that hard work. Game on!