CNN kicked off 2012 in solid shape, improving upon its year-ago numbers, and topping MSNBC in both total and demo viewers in primetime. January was a big news month, with a number of debates, primaries and the State of the Union Address, all of which helped contribute to CNN’s gains.
The ratings for January, 2012:
- Primetime (Mon-Sun): 842K Total Viewers / 282K A25-54
- Total Day (Mon-Sun): 445K Total Viewers / 139K A25-54
In primetime (Mon.-Sun.), CNN was up +25% in total viewers and +41% in the key A25-54 demographic compared to last year, placing it second behind Fox News in both categories. CNN was up +4% in total viewers and pup +7% in the demo in total day compared to last year.
“AC360″ continued to grow at both 8 and 10 PM. At 8 PM, the program was up +20% in total viewers and up +42% in the demo compared to last year, when “Parker Spitzer” was running. At 10 PM the program was up +28% in total viewers and +61% in the demo compared to its performance last year.
“Piers Morgan Tonight” was down double digits compared to last January, but that is because the program had strong tune-in for its launch week last year (beginning Jan. 17), driving up the monthly average.
In its first month on-air, the new CNN morning shows failed to light up the ratings wire, but they didn’t burn them out either.
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