The Royal Baby’s birth yesterday was the big story on cable news, although the ratings suggest there was only modest interest among viewers.
News of the birth came down during the 3 PM hour, with the formal announcement on the Palace placard coming during the 4PM hour. Fox News led the way both hours in total viewers, with CNN edging FNC in the demo during the 3 PM hour. MSNBC and Fox News were up slightly from their yearly averages in total viewers in both hours, while CNN effectively doubled its yearly average. In other words, there was viewer interest in the birth, but the ratings were far lower than other recent events, like the Zimmerman trial and the Asiana crash.
3PM:
FNC: 1,643,000 total viewers 225,000 adults 25-54
CNN: 875,000 total viewers, 304,000 adults 25-54
MSNBC: 426,000 total viewers, 109,000 adults 25-54
4PM
FNC: 1,812,000 total viewers, 326,0000 adults 25-54
CNN: 1,001,000 total viewers, 316,000 adults 25-54
MSNBC: 467,000 total viewers, 105,000 adults 25-54
The Duchess of Cambridge went into labor in the middle of the night, so yesterday’s morning programs all led with the impending birth. None of the morning cable programs saw any sort of Royal baby ratings bump. As usual, “Fox & Friends” was first in both total and demo viewers, followed by “Morning Joe” and “New Day.”
In primetime and total day, Fox News led cable news in total viewers and the demo, with CNN second, and MSNBC third. A replay of “Will & Kate Plus One” helped CNN edge “On the Record” for the top demo slot at 10 PM, though it was the only hour CNN edged out FNC.
The full scoreboard will be up shortly.