CNN Tops MSNBC in Total Day, Prime Time, Dayside and Weekends in January January 29, 2019
January ratings are in and CNN had record audience deliveries and topped MSNBC in all key dayparts this month - total day, prime time, dayside and weekends - among adults 25-54. For the 55th straight month, CNN surpassed MSNBC (235k vs. 199k) in total day, the longest monthly streak since 2010. CNN registered its second-highest January on record in total viewers (824k) behind 2009, and third highest in 10 years in the demo adults 25-54 (just behind 2017, 2018). CNN also grew 15% in January in total day among total viewers, while MSNBC was 14% and Fox declined -11%.
In prime time, CNN beat MSNBC this month (368k vs. 355k) and has now outperformed MSNBC in prime time for three of the past four months. CNN posted its second-highest January prime time ever in total viewers (1.231 million), after 2009 and second highest in last 10 years among adults 25-54 (after 2017). CNN's prime time grew vs. last year, up 32% in total viewers and 11% in the key demo adults 25-54. In weekday prime time(M-F), CNN posted its highest January weekday prime time ever in total viewers (1.415 million) and had the most growth in cable news, increasing an impressive 31%, MSNBC was up only 4% and Fox was down -11%. Among adults 25-54, CNN was up 13% while MSNBC was down -16% and Fox declined -20%. All of CNN's weekday prime time programs posted their highest January ratings on record.
During dayside, CNN dominated MSNBC for a record-breaking 59 straight months in the coveted demographic adults 25-54 (230k vs. 180k). All of CNN's daytime programs (9am-4pm) posted higher 25-54 audiences than MSNBC. This was CNN's second-highest January in total viewers (913k), just after 2009, and third highest since 2009 in the demo (behind 2017, 2018). CNN was up during dayside 11% in total viewers (913k) vs. last year. On weekends, CNN also outperformed MSNBC total day among total viewers (691k vs. 663k) and ranked #1 in cable news among adults 25-54. And in weekend prime time, CNN topped MSNBC among both total viewers (771k vs. 668k) and in the key demo 25-54 (200k vs. 110k). CNN delivered higher demo 25-54 audiences than MSNBC for all 24 hours on both Saturdays and Sundays.
Key CNN Programs Rank #1 in Cable News in the Key Demo Adults 25-54:
Erin Burnett Outfront (7pm) was #1 in January in the key demo 25-54 now for the second straight month and ahead of MSNBC for eight consecutive months. CNN averaged 368k, Fox's The Story followed with 341k and MSNBC's Hardball had 299k among adults 25-54. This is EBOF's best January on record in total viewers (1.164m) and second highest in the key demo (just behind 2018). The Burnett-led program also grew the most in total viewers (1.004m) at 7pm, increasing 16% vs. last year, while Fox was down -18% and MSNBC was 6%.
The Lead with Jake Tapper (4pm) was #1 in cable news this month in the key demo 25-54 averaging 285k, MSNBC's Deadline White House followed with 259k and Fox's Your World was third with 244k. The Lead has ranked #1 for the third consecutive month and ahead of MSNBC for the seventh straight month. This is The Lead's best January on record among both total viewers (1.167m) and adults 25-54 (285k). The Tapper-led program was up 22% in total viewers and 9% among adults 25-54 vs. last year.
Newsroom with Brooke Baldwin (2pm and 3pm) was easily the top-rated cable news program at 2pm (261k), Fox followed with 245k and MSNBC had 180k. This is the first time that CNN ranked #1 at 2pm since June 2017. At 3pm, Baldwin also ranked #1 now for the second consecutive month among adults 25-54, averaging 253k, Fox's Shep Smith Reporting was second with 211k and MSNBC Live was third with 194k. The 3pm show has now ranked #1 for three of the past five months. The Baldwin-led program grew both hours vs. last year - increasing 16% at 2pm and 12% at 3pm in total viewers.
Early Start with Christine Romans and Dave Briggs (4-6am) ranked #1 in cable news in the early mornings with 132k, Fox and Friends Firstfollowed with 120k and MSNBC averaged 109k. The CNN program was the only news show to grow in cable news during the time period, increasing 2%, while Fox declined -23% and MSNBC was down -9% in the key demo. Early Start was also up 18% in total viewers, while Fox was down -14%.
Other CNN programs ranked #1 in cable news in January including: New Day (Sat/Sun), CNN Newsroom with Fredricka Whitfield (Sat/Sun), CNN Newsroom with Ana Cabrera (Sat/Sun) S.E. Cupp Unfiltered, The Van Jones Show and The Axe Files with David Axelrod in adults 25-54. On Sundays, State of the Union with Jake Tapper (noon) was also #1 in cable news now for eight of the past 12 months and Fareed Zakaria: GPS(1pm) was top rated in the key demo adults 25-54.
CNN News Program January Highlights:
Anderson Cooper 360 (8pm) drew more viewers than MSNBC's All in with Chris Hayes in the key demo adults 25-54 (420k vs. 376k) now for the seventh straight month. This is AC 360's best January ever among both total viewers (1.436 million) and adults 25-54 (420k). The Cooper-led program is also up 23% in total viewers vs. last year, increasing the most in cable news at 8pm (Tucker is down -7% and MSNBC is 7%). In the key demo 25-54, Cooper is up 4%, while Fox is down -16% and Hayes is down -14% compared to last year.
Cuomo Prime Time (9pm) was CNN's #1 news program again in January in both total viewers (1.641 million) and adults 25-54 (492k), now for the eighth consecutive month among total viewers. The Cuomo-led program has narrowed the gap significantly with Fox's Hannity to just -8% in 25-54 (492k vs. Fox's 537k). Aside from last month when CPT topped Hannity/Hannity Specials for the first time ever, the monthly gap has never been th
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CNN Tops MSNBC in Total Day, Prime Time, Dayside and Weekends in January January 29, 2019
