While CNN came in second for Q3, MSNBC wins primetime in younger viewers for the month of September. And for 2009 to date, MSNBC has pulled ahead of CNN in primetime in the A25-54 demo. For September, "The Ed Show" at 6pmET, "Hardball with Chris Matthews" at 7pm and "Countdown with Keith Olbermann" at 8 pm all beat CNN head-to-head in the younger demo.

After a heavy news cycle during Q3 2008, (campaigns, conventions, collapses), MSNBC was down across the board in Q3 2009.

In primetime, the network was down 10% in Total Viewers and down 21% in A25-54 demo viewers. In total day, MSNBC was down 17% in Total Viewers and down 25% in A25-45 viewers.

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MSNBC BEATS CNN IN PRIMETIME AGAIN IN SEPT AMONG VIEWERS 25-54

MSNBC Pulls Ahead of CNN for 2009 to Date

The Ed Show, Hardball with Chris Matthews, Countdown with Keith Olbermann Beat CNN in the Demo

NEW YORK Sept. 29, 2009 - MSNBC beat CNN in primetime again in September in the key Adults 25-54 demographic, according to data from Nielsen Media Research. Additionally, 2009 to date, MSNBC has pulled ahead of CNN in primetime in the demo. In September, "The Ed Show" at 6 p.m., "Hardball with Chris Matthews" at 7 p.m. and "Countdown with Keith Olbermann" at 8 p.m. all beat CNN head to head among A25-54. Following are MSNBC ratings highlights for Sept. 2009 and 3Q09:

In primetime in Sept. 2009 (M-Su, 8-11 p.m.), MSNBC out-rated CNN among A25-54 (284,000 vs. 245,000). MSNBC has also pulled ahead of CNN year to date in 2009 in primetime, 293,000 vs. 290,000.

MSNBC is the number one cable news network among younger viewers, A18-34, in primetime (96,000) in Sept. MSNBC also out-rated CNN and Fox News for 3Q09 among A18-34 in primetime (92,000 vs. 71,000 for CNN; 90,000 for FNC).

"Countdown with Keith Olbermann" out-rated CNN's "Campbell Brown" again in September, topping CNN by 81% among A25-54 (346,000 vs. 191,000) and by 54% in total viewers (1,121,000 vs. 727,000). "Countdown" beat "Campbell Brown" by a huge 113% among A18-34 (113,000 vs. 53,000). "Countdown" also outrated "Campbell Brown" in 3Q09 by 46% in A25-54 (334,000 vs. 228,000) and by 34% in total viewers (1,087,000 vs. 811,000).

"Hardball with Chris Matthews" at 7 p.m. out-rated CNN's "Lou Dobbs Tonight" in Sept. by 30% among A25-54 (208,000 vs. 160,000) and by 7% in total viewers (657,000 vs. 616,000). In 3Q09, "Hardball" beat "Lou Dobbs" by 12% among A25-54 (197,000 vs. 176,000).

"The Ed Show" beat CNN for the first time in September, out-rating "The Situation Room" at 6 p.m. by 17% among A25-54 (170,000 vs. 145,000). This is the first time MSNBC has out-rated CNN at 6 p.m. (excluding Olympic programming).

"The Rachel Maddow Show" finished 3Q09 up 28% in total viewers versus 3Q08 (984,000 vs. 766,000) and up 6% in A25-54 (294,000 vs. 277,000).