2006 #’s: Dobbs Up 23 Percent Vs. ’05

Yesterday, I pointed out that CNN’s ads touting Lou Dobbs‘ ratings gains compared to 2005 excluded the month in when viewership spiked in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. But CNN says my adjusted figures were wrong.

Year-to-date, versus 2005, Dobbs is up 23 percent in total viewers and 14 percent in the 25-54 demo without any exclusions for Katrina or breaking news, the network says. Meanwhile, FNC and MSNBC are down at 6pm.

So here’s the raw data, comparing 2006-to-date (12/26/05-12/03/06) to 2005-to-date (12/27/04-12/04/05). Dobbs has averaged 789,000 total viewers in 2006, up from 641,000 in 2005. And he has averaged 217,000 in the 25-54 demo, up from 191,000 in 2005…