Like all the cable news networks, CNN saw a boost in October from its election coverage, which this month included four debates. Compared to the same month last year, CNN is up double digits across the board.
The ratings for October 2012:
- Primetime (Mon-Sun): 1,043,000 Total Viewers / 381,000 A25-54
- Total Day (Mon-Sun): 483,000 Total Viewers / 166,000 A25-54
In primetime, CNN is up +64% in Total Viewers and +90% in the A25-54 demographic year-over-year. In Total Day, the network is up +19% in Total Viewers and +30% in the demographic.
In Total Day, CNN had its highest audience in both Total Viewers and the A25-54 demographic since Hurricane Irene in August 2011. CNN also had its largest Monday-Friday primetime delivery since the aftermath of Michael Jackson’s death (July 2009) in Total Viewers and since the 2008 election in the A25-54 demographic.
“The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer,” which airs from 4-7pmET, is down -14% in Total Viewers and -3% in the A25-54 demographic compared to the same month last year. (It’s worth nothing that CNN shifted that block of programming in June; last year “The Situation Room” aired from 4-6pmET and “John King USA” aired from 6-7pmET.)
Two key programs — a primetime show and the morning show — have improved among younger viewers. “Erin Burnett OutFront” had its strongest month since launch in the A25-54 demographic, posting a +17% increase from October 2011. Soledad O’Brien’s “StartingPoint” also had it’s strongest month yet among younger viewers.