HLN had its best July ever among Total Viewers and the A25-54 demo in both total day and primetime. HLN topped MSNBC in total day in the demo (147k vs. 144k) and grew by double-digits during total day, up 36% among total viewers and up 44% among A25-54 viewers. HLN also grew the most of any cable news network among Total Viewers during primetime (M-F), up 48%.

The death of Michael Jackson gave a boost to "Nancy Grace" at 8pmET which finished as #2 show in the demo, beating MSNBC's "Countdown" and CNN's "Campbell Brown." The Jackson story also gave "Showbiz Tonight" at 11pmET its best month ever in Total Viewers.

HLN's release after the jump...

HLN Has Best July Ever
Tops MSNBC in Total Day 25-54 Demo
Nancy Grace Beats Countdown with Keith Olbermann Among 25-54 Viewers in July
Showbiz Tonight Has Best Month Ever Among Total Viewers

HLN
HLN continued its successful 2009 with another stellar monthly performance, posting the network's best July ever among total viewers and the demo in both total day and prime. HLN topped MSNBC in total day among 25-54 viewers in July (147k vs. 144k) and grew by double-digits during total day, up 36% among total viewers and up 44% among 25-54 viewers. HLN also grew the most of any cable news network among total viewers during primetime (M-F), up 48%, while building by 66% among 25-54 demo viewers.

Nancy Grace beat Countdown among 25-54 viewers by 4% this month (323k vs. 312k). This marks the 4th month that Nancy Grace outranked MSNBC's Countdown among the 25-54 demo this year.

Showbiz Tonight had its best month ever at 11p among total viewers in July with 517k. Showbiz Tonight also topped MSNBC among 25-54 demo viewers, beating the repeat of Rachel Maddow by 47% (235k vs. 160k).

HLN programs with double digit gains versus July 2008 include:
- Morning Express with Robin Meade increased 23% among total viewers and 35% among 25-54 viewers, posting the most 25-54 growth among cable news morning programs
- Prime News at 5p increased 45% among total viewers and 23% among 25-54 viewers
- Prime News at 6p increased 67% among total viewers and 58% among 25-54 viewers, posting the most total viewer growth of any cable news program at 6p
- Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell at 7p increased 57% among total viewers and 60% among 25-54 viewers
- Nancy Grace at 8p increased 50% among total viewers and 73% among 25-54 viewers and beat Countdown among 25-54 viewers by 4%
- Showbiz Tonight increased 64% among total viewers and 68% among 25-54 viewers, posting the most total viewer growth of any cable news program at 11p