The top cable news programs for the third quarter of 2013 were an awfully familiar bunch, with stalwarts generally leading their respective channels. Thst said, further down the list of top programs, there were a few notable surprises.
Fox News led the way per usual, securing the top 13 programs in total viewers, and the top 10 in the adults 25-54 demo. “The O’Reilly Factor” was the number one show on cable news in both categories. That said, “The Five” continues to thrive… and outside of primetime no less. The panel show was the number two program in all of cable news in total viewers, and number three in the demo behind “Hannity.” “Special Report” placed third in total viewers.
MSNBC’s “Rachel Maddow” led her channel in total and demo viewers, as is usually the case. Maddow placed 14th overall in total viewers and 11th in the demo. More surprising was that only a few weeks in, “The Ed Show” was the third most-watched program in total viewers on MSNBC, behind Maddow and “The Last Word.”
For CNN, Anderson Cooper is the ratings king. His program, “AC360,” was the top CNN program in total and demo viewers, placing 17th overall in total and 13th overall in the demo. In fact, Cooper had the top four most-watched shows on CNN in the demo for the quarter (including replays). “The Lead” was the number three show on CNN in total viewers, after “AC360” and “Piers Morgan Tonight.”
On HLN “Nancy Grace” was the top show in total and demo viewers, but “Dr Drew” wasn’t far behind.
On CNBS “Squawk on the Street” was tops in total viewers,’ with “American Greed” best in the demo. For FBN, “Varney & Company” was tops in both categories.
The rankers, below.