Thursday’s rating scoreboard has garnered a lot of attention from TVNewser readers (it is currently the most commented story since our commenting system took effect). Much of that came from the fact that MSNBC was the top rated cable news network in the A25-54 demo during prime time.
Commenter smh3477 wrote, “Perhaps the bloggers here at TVNewser can tell us the last time that happened.”
We can. The last time MSNBC won the prime time demo during a regular weeknight of programming was October 31, 2001, more than six-and-a-half years ago. There have been occasions, during debates, specials and tape programming, in which the network finished first, but not during a typical night.
Certain factors were likely contributors (FNC anchor Bill O’Reilly’s absence as one), and FNC won in Total Viewers in prime time handily (MSNBC was 3rd). But it still means a scoreboard unlike any other on TV/CableNewser (which started on 1/1/04).
> Update: None for 6+ years, now two in a row — MSNBC again won the prime time demo on Friday (319,000 for MSNBC, 293,000 for CNN, 240,000 for FNC and 93,000 for HLN).