MSNBC was the number two cable news channel behind Fox News in primetime for the third quarter of 2013. The channel once again finished third behind CNN in total day, and without the huge political stories of Fall 2012, the ratings saw a precipitous decline year over year.
The ratings for Q3, 2013 (Nielsen Live + Same Day data):
- Primetime (Mon-Sun): 568,000 Total Viewers / 190,000 A25-54
- Total Day (Mon-Sun): 374,000 Total Viewers / 130,000 A25-54
MSNBC was down -39% in primetime in total viewers and down -36% among adults 25-54. In total day, the channel was down -27% in total viewers and -26% in the demo. That said, Q3 2012 was bolstered by the DNC and RNC, as well as the attack in Benghazi, Libya.
The highlight for MSNBC was in the mornings, where “Morning Joe” finished second behind “Fox & Friends;” and Rachel Maddow, who held onto the number two slot in primetime. Both programs also saw declines compared to Q3 2012, with “Joe” down -14% in total viewers and -20% in the demo, and Maddow down -37% in total viewers and -40% in the demo. MSNBC’s lineup was also bolstered by its long-form crime programming, which improved its Mon.-Sun. primetime numbers.
Read MSNBC’s press release, below.
MSNBC TOPS CNN FOR THIRD QUARTER 2013
“Morning Joe” and Primetime Beat CNN for Q3
MSNBC Has Strong September with “Morning Joe,” “All In” and all Evening Shows Topping CNN
NEW YORK – Oct. 1, 2013 – MSNBC beat CNN for the third quarter of 2013 in the key morning, weekday primetime and M-Su primetime dayparts according to data from Nielsen.
For the quarter, MSNBC ranked #2 in weekday primetime, topping CNN among total viewers (621,000 vs. CNN’s 555,000) and A25-54 (178,000 vs. CNN’s 177,000). MSNBC also ranked #2 in Monday- Sunday primetime among A25-54 (190,000 vs. CNN’s 179,000) and total viewers (568,000 vs. CNN’s 542,000).
MSNBC ranked #2 in the sale prime daypart (M-Su 7p-2a) among A25-54 (178,000 vs. CNN’s 155,000) and total viewers (478,000 vs. CNN’s 445,000). Compared to 2Q 2013, MSNBC is up 2% in the demo while both CNN and FNC are down double digits.
Below are program and daypart highlights from Q3 2013:
“Morning Joe” (6-9a) ranked #2 for the quarter topping CNN among A25-54 (133,000 vs. CNN’s 107,000) and total viewers (398,000 vs. CNN’s 303,000). “Morning Joe” is up 13% among A25-54 and up 7% in total viewers compared to 2Q13 – the only cable news morning program to grow vs. last quarter. This was also the lowest quarter delivery in eleven years (since Q3 2001) for “Fox and Friends.” In its first full quarter on the air, CNN’s “New Day” ranked #4 among A25-54.
“PoliticsNation” with Rev. Al Sharpton at 6p ranked #2 for the quarter, topping CNN among total viewers (590,000 vs. 462,000) and tying in A25-54 (144,000). “PoliticsNation” is up 6% among A25-54 and 2% in total viewers compared to 2Q13, the only cable news show at 6p to grow vs. last quarter.
“Hardball with Chris Matthews” at 7p was #2 for the quarter among A25-54 (153,000 vs. CNN’s 144,000) and total viewers (610,000 vs. CNN’s 449,000). “Hardball” is up 4% in A25-54 and 7% in total viewers compared to 2Q13, while CNN and Fox News Channel are down double digits vs. last quarter. On Fox News Channel, “The Fox Report” had the lowest A25-54 delivery since 2Q01.
“The Rachel Maddow Show” at 9 p was #2 for the quarter, topping CNN’s “Piers Morgan Tonight” in both A25-54 (204,000 vs. 165,000) and total viewers (734,000 vs. 561,000). On Fox News Channel, “Hannity” had the lowest quarterly delivery since 3Q01.
MSNBC ranked #1 among A25-54 in weekend sales prime (Sa/Su 7p-2a) for the 14 consecutive quarter.
MSNBC ranked #1 among African-American viewers in all key dayparts and demos for the quarter.
MSNBC ranked #1 among Hispanic viewers in the A25-54 demo in all key daypart for the quarter.
For the month of September, MSNBC topped CNN in all key categories including weekday primetime, M-Su prime, and total day. “All In with Chris Hayes” ranked #2 beating CNN for the month among both A25-54 and total viewers for the first time since the show’s debut.
Below are program and daypart highlights for September:
“Morning Joe”(6-9a) ranked #2 for the month among both A25-54 (141,000) and total viewers (425,000). CNN’s “New Day” ranked #4 among A25-54 in September.
“Hardball with Chris Matthews” at 7p was #2 for the month with 173,000 among A25-54 and 734,000 total viewers. Compared to August, “Hardball” was up 40% in the demo and 53% among total viewers.
“All In” with Chris Hayes at 8p was #2 for the month topping CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360” among A25-54 (176,000 vs. 170,000) and total viewers (640,000 vs. 604,000). Compared to August, “All In” is up 41% among A25-54 and 35% in total viewers, more growth than any other cable news program in the hour.
“The Rachel Maddow Show” at 9p was #2 for the month among A25-54 (228,000 vs. CNN’s 138,000) and total viewers (812,000 vs. CNN’s 546,000). Compared to August, “The Rachel Maddow Show” is up 33% in A25-54 and 31% in total viewers.
At 10p, “The Last Word” with Lawrence O’Donnell topped CNN ranking #2 for the month among A25-54 (196,000 vs. CNN’s 162,000) and total viewers (697,000 vs. CNN’s 486,000). Compared to August, “The Last Word” is up 23% among A25-54 and 17% in total viewers.
“Up with Steve Kornacki” on Sundays (8-10a) ranked #2 for the month among A25-54 (128,000). “Up” on Sundays also ranked #1 among the younger demo of A18-34 and A18-49.
“Melissa Harris-Perry” on Sundays (10a-noon) ranked #1 among the younger demo of A18-34 for the month.
MSNBC ranked #1 in weekend sales prime (Sa/Su 7p-2a) for the 5thconsecutive month.
MSNBC ranked #1 among African-American viewers in both A25-54 and total viewers in all key dayparts.
MSNBC ranked #1 among Hispanic viewers among A25-54 in key categories for the month.