CNN Says Cooper Narrows The Gap

“Just like a trend in Anderson Cooper‘s neckties, the ratings gap between CNN and Fox News is narrowing,” Broadcasting & Cable reports.

“A CNN release Wednesday cited Nielsen Media Research data that shows the news network averaged 198,000 viewers in the news demo, adults 25-54, during Anderson Cooper 360’s 10 p.m. – midnight time slot since the show debuted Nov. 7. That’s 57% below the Fox News’ programming, Hannity & Colmes and On the Record with Greta Van Susteren, that runs in the same time period, which averaged 311,000 viewers.

Last November, the networks were separated by a 179% gap in the 25-54 demo: CNN averaged 194,000 viewers and Fox News averaged 542,000.

The gap-lowering should not all be attributed to 360, however. All of the news networks posted double-digit drops in November compared to the same period last year, when large audiences were tuning in for election coverage. CNN’s drop was lower than Fox News’. Year to year, CNN dropped 34% in the demo in total-day viewing to 129,000 viewers, while Fox News dropped 49% to 228,000 viewers. (MSNBC was down 20% to 97,000 viewers; CNBC was down 19% to 47,000 viewers; and Headline News was down 17% to 84,000 viewers).” Here’s the rest…