As usual, Fox News Channel’s programming topped the competition in the first quarter of 2013. The network notched the top 13 programs among total viewers and the top six in the A25-54 demographic.

“The O’Reilly Factor” was the number one show on Fox News and cable news overall, averaging  2.88 million total viewers and 428,000 demo viewers for the quarter.

“The Rachel Maddow” show was number one on MSNBC in both total viewers and the demo, averaging 928,000 and 263,000 viewers, respectively. The program placed 14th in total viewers and seventh in the demo for the quarter.

HLN’s top show for the quarter was “Nancy Grace,” which cracked the top ten programs among younger viewers. Grace’s program placed 16th in total viewers and ninth in the demo, averaging 778,000 and 252,000 viewers, respectively.

CNN’s top show in total viewers was “Anderson Cooper 360,” which placed 28th and averaged 533,000 viewers. “AC360″ also led the network among younger viewers, placing 29th and averaging 155,000 in the A25-54 demographic.

CNBC’s top program in total viewers was “Squawk On The Street,” which averaged 274,000 viewers. “American Greed” was the network’s top show in the demo with 99,000. “Lou Dobbs Tonight” was FBN’s top-rated show in both total viewers and the demo, averaging 105,000 and 25,000 viewers, respectively.

The full rankers are below.
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25-54 demographic (Live +SD)

• Total day: FNC: 259 | MSNBC: 138 | CNN: 107 | HLN: 122

• Primetime: FNC: 314 | MSNBC: 281 | CNN: 97 | HLN: 165

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25-54 demographic (Live +SD)

• Total day: FNC: 149 | MSNBC: 118 | CNN: 131 | HLN: 118

• Primetime: FNC: 123 | MSNBC: 149 | CNN: 94 | HLN: 124

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The Jodi Arias trial propelled HLN to some huge growth in Q1 2013 and March. How many viewers stick around once it ends remains to be seen, but for now, the network is seeing triple-digit growth.

The ratings for Q1, 2013 (Nielsen Live + Same Day data):

• Primetime (Mon-Sun): 435,000 Total Viewers / 155,000 A25-54
• Total Day (Mon-Sun): 308,000 Total Viewers / 118,000 A25-54

Compared to Q1 2012, HLN is up +17% in Total Day and +12% in primetime in total viewers. The network is up +23% and +32% in the A25-54 demo in total day and prime, respectively (Note: percentages are based on a blend of Nielsen Live + 7 and Live + 3 data).

The biggest gains are in the afternoon hours, where HLN is up over +100% in total and demo viewers from 3-6PM ET. 4PM’s “Making It In America,” for example, is up +136% in total viewers and +128% in the demo compared to Q1 2012.

While 8PM’s “Nancy Grace” is still the channel’s most popular show, she actually saw less growth than the other primetime hours, up +5% in total viewers and up +18% in the demo. At 7 PM Jane Velez-Mitchell was up +39% in total viewers and +50% in the demo, while at 9 PM “Dr Drew,” “What Would You Do?” and “Mysteries” combined to be up +33% and +61% in total day and prime respectively. At 10 PM “Nancy Grace, ” “What Would You Do,” “Mysteries” and “HLN After Dark” combined to be up +33% and +49% in total day and prime.

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25-54 demographic (Live +SD)

• Total day: FNC: 246 | MSNBC: 131 | CNN: 108 | HLN: 202

• Primetime: FNC: 319 | MSNBC: 204 | CNN: 167 | HLN: 301

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The case of Nancy Grace‘s pilfered pendant continues to rock the halls of CNN. On “AC360,” Anderson Cooper talked to Grace about the case of the missing handcuff necklace, first reported on TVNewser yesterday, and put out an APB for its whereabouts.

“The last time my handcuff necklace was admired on the air, I would like to point out that you were present, you, [Jeffrey] Toobin and Mark Geragos,” Grace told Cooper, who asked if she had any suspects. “Don’t try to throw me off the scent, don’t try to throw me off you.”

WATCH:

There’s a mystery brewing at CNN Center in Atlanta and crimefighter Nancy Grace is in the middle of it all. It appears Grace has either lost or someone has stolen her handcuff necklace. You know the one that she’s been wearing prominiently during Jodi Arias trial coverage.

Well this flyer is now circulating throughout the building. This is the same necklace that Anderson Cooper noticed Grace wearing on his show earlier this month. “Are you wearing handcuffs as a necklace?,” Cooper asked. “Yes, I am. Would you like a pair?” Grace responded.

We hope he has an alibi.

Media magnate and journalist Steve Brill talks to ProPublica about the state of media, his recent 26,000 expose on U.S. healthcare in Time and his days in TV news.

On hiring talented people:

“I think it’s a lot intuitive, but there are a lot of mistakes. After all, I deserve to do community services. I am the person who brought Nancy Grace to television.”

He also shared this funny anecdote about Cynthia McFadden and Terry Moran, both now on ABC’s “Nightline.”
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The obsession with the Jodi Arias trial continues. This week, HLN will premiere “After Dark: The Jodi Arias Trial,” a nightly show with a live studio audience. The program premieres Wednesday and will run Monday-Thursday for the duration of the trial.

The program launch comes on the heels of Turner Broadcasting’s TruTV scaling In Session coverage back to two hours a day, a move which has sparked criticism in the middle of the Arias trial. HLN anchor Vinnie Politan will anchor the show and In Session on TruTV correspondents Jean Casarez and Beth Karas will contribute.

Politan will be joined by HLN’s Nancy Grace, Jane Velez-Mitchell, Ryan Smith and Drew Pinsky, who will weigh the accusations and evidence of the day. The 12-person audience will act as “jurors” and will render a verdict each night.

25-54 demographic (Live +SD)

• Total day: FNC: 261 | MSNBC: 126 | CNN: 105 | HLN: 168

• Primetime: FNC: 403 | MSNBC: 224 | CNN: 122 | HLN: 225

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