• Anthony Crupi writes in Mediaweek about the year-to-year ratings growth by the cable networks. Fox News saw an increase of 16% from last year’s numbers as it finished third for all basic cable channels in Total Viewers. CNN, meanwhile, finishes February as the fifth most-watched basic cable channel, up 133% in Total Viewers and 150% in the demo thanks to debates and primary nights.
• Portfolio’s Jeff Bercovici takes a closer look at CNBC’s demo ratings, which saw major drops despite gains in Total Viewers. Bercovici quotes Horizon Media’s director of research, Brad Adgate, who says, “Deals are done on demos, not households, so they would prefer a strong adults 25-54 rating more than practically any other number.” Adgate adds, “It could just be something within the Nielsen sample.”
• TVDecoder’s Brian Stelter and Matea Gold in the LA Times focus on the rare CNN prime time demo victory.