October 2012 Ratings: MSNBC Has Strongest Month In Years

By Alex Weprin 

The Presidential debates and the last leg of the campaign led to one of MSNBC’s strongest months in years. The network saw more growth compared to October 2011 than either of its cable news competitors.

The ratings for October 2012:

  • Primetime (Mon-Sun): 1,443,000 Total Viewers / 518,000 A25-54
  • Total Day (Mon-Sun): 662,000 Total Viewers / 237,000 A25-54

MSNBC’s primetime lineup saw the biggest bump in the ratings. The network was up +110% in total viewers and +173% in the key demo of adults 25-54 in primetime. In total day MSNBC was up +66% and +85% in total and demo viewers, respectively.

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In primetime, “The Rachel Maddow Show,” “The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell” and “The Ed Show” all averaged over one million viewers for the month, a first for the network. “Hardball” and “PoliticsNation”each drew just under one million viewers. “Hardball” and “Maddow” had their best months since November, 2008. “PoliticsNation” posted the best 6 PM showing ever on on MSNBC in total viewers, and in the demo since November, 2000.

In the daytime, “Daily Rundown” posted its best total viewer delivery ever, and the best in the demo since November, 2008. “Jansing & Co.” “MSNBC Live,” “Now with Alex Wagner” and “Andrea Mitchell Reports” all had their best performances in the demo in years. At 3 PM, “The Cycle” posted MSNBC’s best demo delivery in the time period since January, 2009.

MSNBC’s spin after the jump…

MSNBC HAS BEST MONTHLY DELIVERY ADVANTAGES EVER OVER CNN – Oct. 2012 Ratings

NEW YORK –Nov. 1, 2012 – During the final weeks of the 2012 Presidential election, MSNBC dominated CNN for the month of October. MSNBC posted the largest monthly delivery advantages ever over CNN in all major dayparts, including  M-F Primetime, M-Su Primetime, Sales Day, Total Day, and Daytime.

For the month of October, MSNBC ranked #2 topping CNN by 36% among A25-54 (649,000 vs. 478,000) and by 46% among total viewers (1.86 million vs.1.27 million) in weekday primetime (M-F 8p-11p), the largest monthly delivery advantages ever over CNN. This is MSNBC’s best M-F prime since Nov. 2008 among A25-54 and best total viewer delivery since Oct. 2008.

 

MSNBC ranked #2 and beat CNN in M-Su Primetime, with a 36% lead over CNN in A25-54 (518,000 vs. 381,000) and 38% in total viewers (1.44 million vs. 1.04 million), the biggest delivery advantages over CNN ever.  MSNBC also ranked #2 in sale prime (M-Su 7p-2a) with the biggest A25-54  (394,000 vs. 282,000) and total viewer (1.1 million vs. 800,000) delivery advantage over CNN ever.

 

In Total Day (M-Su 6a-6a). MSNBC had the biggest A25-54 and total viewer advantage over CNN ever and the best time period delivery since Nov. 2008. MSNBC was #2 for the month, with a 43% lead over CNN in A25-54 (237,000 vs. 166,000) and 37% in total viewers (662,000 vs. 483,000).

 

For the four 2012 Presidential Debates in October, MSNBC averaged 1.78 million A25-54, up 7% from the four 2008 Presidential Debates. In total Viewers, MSNBC averaged 4.52 million total viewers, up 14% from the four 2008 Presidential Debates – CNN, which ranked #2 for the debates, was down 45% in A25-54 from the 2008 Debate averages, and 40% lower in total viewers.  Fox News was #1 in audience for the debates, up slightly from 2008 in both A25-54 and total viewers.

 

 

The following are morning and primetime program ratings highlights for October 2012:

 

“Way Too Early” with Willie Geist at 5:30 a.m. ranked #2, topping CNN by 42% in A25-54 (133,000 vs. 93,000) and by 46% in total viewers (291,000 vs. 199,000). Compared to Oct. 2011, “Way Too Early” was up 48% with A25-54, 56% in total viewers, and 117% in A18-34.

 

“Morning Joe” from 6:00 – 9:00 a.m. had the program’s best A25-54 delivery in four years – since November 2008. “Morning Joe” ranked #2, topping CNN by 91% among A25-54 (208,000 vs. 109,000) and by 103% among total viewers (550,000 vs. 271,000). This is the biggest monthly demo lead ever CNN. Compared to Oct. 2011, “Morning Joe” was up 41% in total viewers. “Morning Joe” was also up 48% in A25-54 and 114% in A18-34 compared to Oct. 2011, more growth than all other cable news programs in the time period combined.

 

“Hardball with Chris Matthews” at 5:00 p.m. had the program’s best A25-54 delivery since November 2008 and the best total viewer delivery ever (excluding Olympics). “Hardball” was #2, beating CNN by 105% in A25-54 (277,000 vs. 135,000) and 113% in total viewers (1.13 million vs. 531,000). Compared to Oct. 2011, “Hardball” is up 85% in A25-54 and 60% in total viewers, more growth than all other cable news programs in the hour combined.

 

“PoliticsNation” with Rev. Al Sharpton at 6:00 p.m. had the network’s best total viewer delivery ever in the hour and the best demo performance at 6 p.m. for the network since November 2000. October 2012 was “PoliticsNation’s” best A25-54 delivery ever and the best A25-54 performance in the hour since Nov. 2008. “PoliticsNation” ranked #2 with a 95% lead over CNN among A25-54 (301,000 vs. 154,000) and a 106% lead among total viewers (1.07 million vs. 517,000). Compared to Oct. 2011, “PoliticsNation” is up 108% in A25-54 and 63% with total viewers, more growth than all cable news channels in the hour combined. “PoliticsNation” was also up 77% among A18-34 compared to Oct. 2011, more growth than any other cable news channel.

 

At 7:00 p.m., “Hardball with Chris Matthews” had the program’s best A25-54 and total viewer delivery since Nov. 2008. “Hardball” was #2 topping CNN by 115% in A25-54 (354,000 vs. 165,000) and by 133% in total viewers (1.16 million vs. 497,000). Compared to Oct. 2011, “Hardball” is up 01% in A25-54, 51% with total viewers, and 163% among A18-34, more growth than all cable news channels combined.

 

“The Ed Show” at 8:00 p.m. had the program’s best delivery ever among both A25-54 and total viewers and the best performance in the hour since March 2009. “The Ed Show” topped CNN in all categories, with a 125% advantage over CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360” among A25-54 (399,000 vs. 177,000) and a 140% lead over CNN in total viewers (1.33 million vs. 554,000). Compared to Oct. 2011, “Ed” is up 127% with A25-54 and 57% with total viewers, more growth than all cable news channels in the hour combined. “The Ed Show” is also up 120% with A18-34 compared to Oct. 2011.

 

“The Rachel Maddow Show” at 9:00 p.m. had its best A25-54 and total viewer delivery since Nov. 2008. “Maddow” was #2 in all categories, topping CNN’s “Piers Morgan Tonight” by 209% among A25-54 (538,000 vs. 174,000) and by 172% among total viewers (1.57 million vs. 575,000). Compared to Oct. 2011, “Maddow” is up 151% with A25-54 and 83% with total viewers, more growth in the time period than all cable news channels combined.  “Maddow” is also up 149% with the younger demo of A18-34 compared to Oct. 2011.

 

At 10 p.m., “The Last Word” with Lawrence O’Donnell ranked #2, topping CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360” re-air by 158% among A25-54 (444,000 vs. 172,000) and by 171%  in total viewers (1.35 million vs. 497,000). Compared to Oct. 2011, “The Last Word” has increased 125% with A25-54, 65% with total viewers, and 125% with A18-34.

 

MSNBC is #1 in delivering Total African American Viewers (2+) for the 33rd consecutive month in M-Su Primetime (8p-11p).

 

 

MSNBC Daytime (M-F 9a-5p) ranked #2 with both A25-54 and total viewers and had the best demo delivery since Jan. 2009. MSNBC topped CNN by 31% in both total viewers (558,000 vs. 426,000) and A25-54 (162,000 vs. 124,000), the biggest delivery and percentage advantage over CNN ever. Compared to Oct. 2011, MSNBC was up 91% with A25-54, 62% with total viewers, and 111% with A18-34, more growth in the depart than all other cable news networks combined.

 

The following are MSNBC Daytime program ratings highlights for October 2012:

 

 

At 9 a.m., “The Daily Rundown” with Chuck Todd had its best monthly delivery ever among A25-54 and best A25-54 delivery in the hour since November 2008. “The Daily Rundown”  was #2 and had a 28% lead over CNN in A25-54 (170,000 vs. 133,000) and a 31% lead in total viewers (570,000 vs. 429,000). Compared to October 2011, “The Daily Rundown” was up 75% with A25-54 and 141% with A18-34, more growth than all other cable news programs in the hour combined and up 45% with total viewers, the most growth posted by a cable news program in the hour.

 

“Jansing and Co.” at 10 a.m. had the best monthly delivery ever among A25-54 and the best A25-54 performance in the hour since Jan. 2009. “Jansing” ranked #2, topping CNN by 19% (152,000 vs. 128,000) and by 9% in total viewers (476,000 vs. 435,000). Compared to Oct. 2011, “Jansing” is up 88% in A25-54, 51% in total viewers and 162% with A18-34, more growth than all cable news programs in the hour combined.

 

“MSNBC Live” with Thomas Roberts at 11 a.m. had the best A25-54 delivery since January 2009. “MSNBC Live” was #2 with a 13% advantage over CNN in A25-54 (147,000 vs. 130,000) and a 12% lead in total viewers (471,000 vs. 420,000). Compared to Oct. 2011, “MSNBC Live” is up 95% in A25-54, 54% with total viewers, and 177% with A18-34, more growth than all cable news programs in the hour combined.

“NOW with Alex Wagner” at noon had the show’s best A25-54 and total viewer delivery ever and the best monthly delivery in the hour since January 2009. “NOW” was #2 with a 43% lead over CNN among A25-54 (167,000 vs. 117,000) and a 25% advantage in total viewers (524,000 vs. 420,000). “NOW” ranked #1 in A18-34 for the 4th consecutive month. Compared to Oct. 2011, “NOW” was up 120% in A25-54, 73% with total viewers, and 200% in A18-34, more growth than all cable news programs in the hour combined.

 

At 1 p.m., “Andrea Mitchell Reports” had the best A25-54 and total viewer delivery since July 2009. “Mitchell” ranked #2 with a 35% lead over CNN with A25-54 (144,000 vs. 107,000) and 27% with total viewers (515,000 vs. 405,000). Compared to Oct. 2011, “Mitchell” is up 66% with A2554, +55% with Total Viewers, and 106% with A1834, posting more growth than all other cable news programs in the hour combined.

 

“NewsNation” with Tamron Hall at 2 p.m. had the program’s best A25-54 delivery ever and the best total viewer delivery in the hour since Nov. 2008. “NewsNation” ranked #2 topping CNN by 30% in A25-54 (148,000 vs. 114,000) and by 40% in total viewers (554,000 vs. 396,000). Compared to Oct. 2011, “NewsNation” is up 76% with A2554, 66% with Total Viewers, and 89% with A1834, more growth than all cable news programs in the hour combined.

 

At 3 p.m., “The Cycle” had the program’s best monthly A25-54 delivery ever and the best demo performance in the hour since Jan. 2009. “The Cycle” ranked #2, beating CNN by 46% with A25-54 (165,000 vs. 113,000) and 34% with total viewers (560,000 vs. 417,000). Compared to Oct. 2011, “The Cycle” is up 86% with A25-54 and 56% with total viewers, more growth than all cable news programs in the hour combined. Among A18-34, “The Cycle” is up 30% over Oct. 2011, posting the only cable news program growth in the hour.

 

“Martin Bashir” at 4 p.m. had the program’s best A25-54 and total viewer delivery since moving to 4 p.m, and the best performance in the hour since Oct. 2008. “Bashir” had MSNBC’s best total viewer performance in the hour in nearly ten years – since April 2003. “Bashir” was ranked #2, topping CNN by 55% among A25-54 (201,000 vs. 130,000) and 66% among total viewers (781,000 vs. 470,000). Compared to Oct. 2011, “Bashir” is up 118% with A25-54, 95% with total viewers, and 54% with A18-34, more growth than all cable news programs in the hour combined.

 

 

In weekend sales prime (Sa/Su 7p-2a), MSNBC ranked #2 in A2554, 47% ahead of CNN (194,000 vs. 132,000). MSNBC was ranked #1 in A18-34 for the 48th straight month . The following are weekend program highlights for October 2012:

 

On Saturdays, “Weekends with Alex Witt” (7a-8a) beat CNN by 48% in A25-54 (158,000 vs. 107,000). Compared to Oct. 2011, “Witt” is up 84% among A25-54, more growth than all other cable news programs combined and up 37% with total viewers, more growth than any other cable news program. During the noon – 2p block, “Witt” had the program’s best A25-54 and total viewer delivery ever, up 22% among A25-54 and 42% in total viewers compared to Oct. 2011.

 

“UP w/Chris Hayes” on Saturdays (8:00 – 10:00 a.m.) had the program’s best A25-54 and total viewer monthly delivery ever. “UP” ranked #2, topping CNN by 45% in A25-54 (207,000 vs. 143,000) and 34%  in total viewers (553,000 vs. 431,000). Compared to Oct. 2011, “UP” has grown 116% with A25-54, more growth than all cable news programs combined and up 89% with total viewers, more growth than all other cable news programs in the time period combined.

 

“Melissa Harris-Perry” on Saturdays (10:00 a.m. – noon) had the program’s best A25-54 and total viewer delivery ever. “MHP” ranked #2 with A25-54 (188,000 vs. CNN’s 174,000). Compared to Oct. 2011, “MHP” is up 90% among A2554 and 73% with total viewers, more growth than all cable news programs in the time period combined.

 

On Sundays, “UP w/ Chris Hayes” (8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.) ranked #2, beating CNN by 30% in A25-54 (165,000 vs. 127,000) and 28% with total viewers (406,000 vs. 318,000). “UP” was #1 among the younger demo of A18-34. Compared to Oct. 2011, “UP” Sundays grew 20% in A25-54, more growth than all cable news programs in the time period combined and 28% with total viewers.

 

“Melissa Harris-Perry” on Sundays (10:00 a.m. – noon) had its best monthly demo delivery ever. “MPH” beat CNN’s Sunday programming by 21% among A25-54 (170,000 vs. 141,000) and ranked #1 among A18-34. Compared to Oct. 2011, “MHP” is up 68% in A25-54 and 53% among total viewers, more growth than all cable news programs in the time period combined.

 

“Weekends with Alex Witt” on Sundays (noon – 2:00 p.m.) ranked #2 among A25-54, topping CNN’s Sunday programming by 3% (130,000 vs. 126,000). Compared to Oct. 2011, “Witt” is up 23% among A25-54 and 10% in total viewers.

 

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