Q2 2013 Ratings: MSNBC Finishes Third in Primetime; Fourth in Total Day

By Chris Ariens 

After experiencing a 6-year low in May, MSNBC was poised to have a troubling Q2 in the ratings. And it did. For total day viewership in the quarter, the network was down -9% in viewers and down -5% in the demo. In primetime, MSNBC shed -16% of its viewership and -12% in the demo, vs. Q2 2012.

The ratings for Q2, 2013 (Nielsen Live + Same Day data):

  • Primetime (Mon-Sun): 576,000 Total Viewers / 191,000 A25-54
  • Total Day (Mon-Sun): 360,000 Total Viewers / 122,000 A25-54

“All in with Chris Hayes,” which debuted at the start of Q2, is down -28% in total viewers and down -10% in younger viewers vs. “The Ed Show” which aired in the 8pmET timelsot last year. That hurt the numbers for the network’s #1 show, “The Rachel Maddow Show” at 9pmET which was down -16% in viewers and down -11% in the demo — its lowest rated quarter among total viewers since debuting in September 2008. At 10pmET, Lawrence O’Donnell was down -15% in viewers and down -22% in the demo.

Advertisement

The network came in fourth place for total day viewership, in both total viewers and the A25-54 demo. MSNBC was in third, behind FNC and CNN, in primetime. For the month of June, the network’s primetime bounced back, finishing second behind FNC.

MSNBC #2 CABLE NEWS NETWORK IN JUNE

“The Rachel Maddow Show” Ranks #2 for the Month and Second Quarter 2013

CNN down double digits from May 2013

Fox News Channel has Lowest Monthly Weekday Primetime Performance in More than Twelve Years

NEW YORK – July 2, 2013 – MSNBC was the #2 cable news network for the month of June, topping CNN and HLN in key ratings categories, according to data from Nielsen. Without big news events to drive ratings, CNN dropped 43% in weekday primetime and 40% in daytime among A25-54 compared to May 2013. Fox News Channel saw the network’s lowest weekday primetime performance among A25-54 in more than twelve years – since August 2001.

For the month, MSNBC weekday primetime (M-F 8-11p) ranked #2 among A25-54 (160,000) and total viewers (577,000). MSNBC also ranked #1 among African-American in both A25-54 and P2+ in weekday primetime. MSNBC also ranked #2 in M-Su primetime (8p-11p) in both A25-54 and total viewers (521,000).

The following are MSNBC’s morning and primetime highlights for June 2013:

. “Morning Joe” (6-9 a.m. ET) was #2 among total viewers for the month with 350,000. Despite the highly promoted launch of “New Day” (debuted on June 17), CNN’s mornings are down -25% compared to the heavy news month of May. During the two week period “New Day” aired, “Morning Joe” edged out the new CNN show in A2554 107,000 to 106,000 and beat the new entry in total viewers 351,000 to 303,000.

· “Hardball” with Chris Matthews at 5 p.m. ranked #2 in both total viewers (580,000) and A25-54 (108,000).

· “PoliticsNation” with Rev. Al Sharpton at 6 p.m. ranked #2 with total viewers (536,000) and A25-54 (126,000).

· “Hardball” with Chris Matthews at 7 p.m. was #2 in total viewers (489,000) and beat CNN among A25-54 (115,000).

· “The Rachel Maddow Show” at 9 p.m. topped the competition ranking #2 in A25-54 (195,000) and total viewers (694,000). Despite breaking news dominating the second quarter news cycle, “The Rachel Maddow Show” beat CNN’s “Piers Morgan Tonight” for the quarter in both total viewers and A25-54 (236,000 vs. CNN’s 230,000).

· “The Last Word” with Lawrence O’Donnell at 10 p.m. (Monday-Thursday) ranked #2 with total viewers (602,000) and A2554 (152,000).

. “Up with Steve Kornacki” on Sundays ranked #2 among and beat CNN among A25-54 (137,000).

* MSNBC is #1 in delivering African American viewers (P2+) for the 41st consecutive month in M-Su Primetime

Among younger viewers A18-34, MSNBC Longform ranks #1 in Weekend Sales Prime (Sa/Su 7p-2a) for the 56thconsecutive month.

Advertisement