MSNBC was the only cable news network to show a total day, Total Viewer increase year-to-year, averaging 342,000 in April ’08 vs. 333,000 April ’07. Last year, all networks saw increased viewership as a result of the coverage of the Virginia Tech shootings.
MSNBC also saw gains in prime time year-to-year, up 17% in Total Viewers and up 13% in the A25-54 demo.
Countdown with Keith Olbermann again finished in second at 8pmET, topping CNN’s Election Center. Both shows trailed FNC’s The O’Reilly Factor. The time period saw an A25-54 demo gain of 21% for MSNBC, while FNC fell 12% and CNN dropped 23%.
At 6pmET, Race for the White House with David Gregory gained 46% it Total Viewers and 15% in the A25-54 demo, compared to last year when Tucker Carlson occupied the hour. Also up for MSNBC was the 5pmET edition of Hardball with Chris Matthews, up 13% in Total Viewers.