CNBC's Mad Money with Jim Cramer at 6pm averaged 57,000 in the 25-54 demo in the second quarter, just 6,000 shy of the Nielsen "scratch" designation and down 39 percent over the second quarter of 2006, Nielsen ratings show.

Similarly, Fast Money at 8pm delivered 56,000 in the demo, just 5,000 more than a scratch, and down 57 percent from Q2 2006's time period performance.

According to Nielsen's calculations, a program scratches if it dips below 51,000 demo viewers...