August Numbers: MSNBC…

MSNBC is noting its August ratings…

MSNBC DOMINATES CNN IN AUGUST

MSNBC Posts Largest Monthly Advantages Ever Over CNN

MSNBC Primetime Leads CNN by 123% in A25-54

Posts Year-to-Year Growth in All Key Dayparts – The Only Cable News Net to Grow

MSNBC Ranks #1 Among Adults 18-34 in All Key Dayparts

NEW YORK – August 28, 2012 – MSNBC dominated CNN in August, posting the largest monthly advantages ever over CNN in M-F Primetime, Sales Day and Total Day according to data from Nielsen. MSNBC also posted year-to-year growth across the board in all key dayparts, while CNN and FNC were both down.

For the month of August, MSNBC ranked #2 and led CNN by 123% among A25-54 (274,000 vs. 123,000) and by 129% among total viewers (969,000 vs. 424,000) in weekday primetime, the largest monthly advantages ever over CNN. MSNBC also ranked #1 among A18-34 in weekday prime, topping both CNN and FNC. Compared to August 2011, MSNBC weekday primetime is up 19% with A25-54 and total viewers and 54% with A18-34 posting the only year to year growth in the daypart.

MSNBC ranked #2 and beat CNN in M-Su Primetime, with a 110% advantage over CNN in A25-54 (258,000 vs. 123,000) and 91% in total viewers (811,000 vs. 425,000), the largest monthly advantages over CNN ever. MSNBC also ranked #1 among the younger demo of A18-34 in M-Su Primetime. Compared to August 2011, MSNBC M-Su Primetime is up 14% with A25-54, 14% with total viewers, and 37%with A18-34 posting the only year-to-year growth in the daypart. (Data excludes Olympic coverage).

In total day (M-Su 6a-6a), MSNBC ranked #2 with a 69% lead over CNN in A25-54 (162,000 vs. 96,000) and by 44% in total viewers (468,000 vs. 326,000). This is MSNBC’s biggest monthly advantage over CNN among total viewers ever. MSNBC also ranked #1 in A18-34 in total day for the month. (Excluding Olympic coverage).

The following are MSNBC’s morning and primetime ratings highlights for August 2012:

* At 5:30 a.m. “Way Too Early with Willie Geist” was #2 topping CNN by 47% in A25-54 (78,000 vs. 53,000) and by 49% in total viewers (189,000 vs. 127,000).

* “Morning Joe” (6- 9 a.m.) ranked #2, beating CNN by 82% in A25-54 (150,000 vs. 82,000) and by 106% among total viewers (420,000 vs. 204,000). This is the 17th straight month “Morning Joe” has beaten CNN both total viewers and A25-54. Compared to August 2011, “Morning Joe” was up 5% in A25-54, while CNN and FNC were down. “Morning Joe” was also up 39% with A18-34 compared to last year, posting more growth in the younger demo than all other cable news programs in the time period.

* “Hardball with Chris Matthews” at 5 p.m. posted its best A25-54 delivery since Jan. 2009 and best total viewer delivery since November 2008. “Hardball” ranked #2, topping CNN by 84% in A25-54 (202,000 vs. 110,000) and 78% in total viewers (892,000 vs. 501,000). Compared to August 2011, “Hardball” was up 29% in A25-54 and 30% with total viewers, more growth than all other cable news programs in the hour. “Hardball” was also up 45% in A18-34 over August 2011, posting the only cable news growth in the hour. **Note: Excludes Olympics data. “Hardball” data based on two weeks of programs.

* “PoliticsNation” with Al Sharpton at 6 p.m. had its best month ever among A25-54 and posted the best delivery in the hour since December 2010. “PoliticsNation” ranked #2, topping CNN by 82% in A25-54 (197,000 vs. 108,000) and by 88% among total viewers (756,000 vs. 402,000). “PoliticsNation” ranked #1 in A18-34. Compared to August 2011, MSNBC is up 23% in A25-54, 22% in total viewers, and 107% with A18-34, posting the only cable news growth in the hour.

* At 7 p.m. “Hardball with Chris Matthews” had its best A25-54 and total viewer delivery since February 2009. “Hardball” ranked #2, beating CNN by 95% in A25-54 and by 124% among total viewers (864,000 vs. 386,000).

* “The Ed Show” at 8 p.m. ranked #2 beating CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360” by 82% in A25-54 (232,000 vs. 127,000) and 101% in total viewers (920,000 vs. 458,000) for the month. Compared to August 2011, “The Ed Show” was up 17% with A25-54, 13% with total viewers, and 71% with A18-34, the only cable news program growth in the hour.

* “The Rachel Maddow Show” at 9 p.m. had its best A25-54 delivery since May 2011. “Maddow” had a strong advantage over CNN’s “Piers Morgan Tonight” – leading “Piers” by 169% in A25-54 (326,000 vs. 121,000) and 140% in total viewers (1.090 million vs. 454,000). “Maddow” also ranked #1 in A18-34. Compared to August 2011, “Maddow” is up 19% with A25-54 and 71% among the younger demo of A18-34, the only growth in the time period. “Maddow” was also up 19% with total viewers compared to last year, more growth than all other cable news programs in the hour combined.

* “The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell” had the best monthly delivery since May 2011 and the best total viewer delivery since November 2008. “The Last Word” ranked #2 at 10 p.m. with a 118% advantage over “Anderson Cooper 360” in A25-54 (285,000 vs. 131,000) and 163% among total viewers (1.009 million vs. 383,000). “The Last Word” increased 27% among A25-54 and 31% in total viewers compared to August 2011, posting the only cable news growth in the hour. “The Last Word” was also #1 among the younger demo A18-34, up 51% compared to July 2011. This is the lowest monthly delivery ever for “360” at 10p (A25-54 and total viewers).

* MSNBC is #1 in delivering African American total viewers among cable news channels for the 31th consecutive month in M-Su Primetime.

MSNBC’s daytime and weekend program highlights include (EXCLUDING OLYMPIC DATA – based on two weeks for MSNBC, 4 weeks for competition):

* MSNBC daytime (M-F 9a-5p – excluding Olympic data and based on two weeks of programs) beat CNN by 16% in A25-54 (117,000 vs. 98,000) and 15% in total viewers (428,000 vs. 389,000), the biggest advantages ever over CNN daytime. This was MSNBC’s best daytime performance since May 2011. MSNBC is up 16% with A25-54 and 15% in total viewers compared to August 2011.

* “The Daily Rundown” with Chuck Todd at 9 a.m. had its best month ever, topping CNN by 12% in A25-54 (121,000 vs. 108,000) and 30% in total viewers (461,000 vs. 354,000). “The Daily Rundown” was #1 among A18-34, up 173% in the younger demo compared to August 2011. MSNBC also grew 19% in A25-54 compared to last year, while CNN and FNC were down.

* At 10 a.m., “Jansing & Co.” had its best total viewer delivery since April 2009. MSNBC was up 22% in A25-54, 15% with total viewers, and 138% in A18-34 compared to August 2011, more growth than all cable news programs in the hour. “Jansing & Co.” beat CNN in A25-54 (111,000 vs. 104,000).

* “MSNBC Live” with Thomas Roberts at 11 a.m. had the best total viewer delivery since Feb. 2009. “MSNBC Live” ranked #2 in both A25-54 (111,000 vs. 100,000) and total viewers (391,000 vs. 383,000). Compared to August 2011, MSNBC was up 17% in total viewers, 10% in A25-54, and 121% with A18-34, more growth than all cable news programs in the hour.

* “NOW with Alex Wagner” at noon had its best monthly A25-54 delivery ever and beat CNN by 35% in A25-54 (127,000 vs. 94,000) and 12% in total viewers (430,000 vs. 384,000). “NOW” ranked #1 in the younger demo of A18-34 for the second consecutive month. Compared to August 2011, MSNBC is up 27% in A25-54 and 131% in A18-34, more growth than all cable news programs in the hour. MSNBC is also up 28% in total viewers compared to last year, the only cable news growth in the hour.

* “Andrea Mitchell Reports” at 1 p.m. had its best A25-54 delivery since May 2011. “Andrea Mitchell Reports” ranked #2 in both total viewers and the demo, topping CNN by 31% in A25-54 (113,000 vs. 86,000). MSNBC was #1 among A18-34. Compared to August 2011, “Andrea Mitchell Reports” is up 16% with A25-54, 12% with total viewers, and 157% with A18-34, posting the only growth by a cable news program in the hour.

* “NewsNation” with Tamron Hall” at 2 p.m. had its best A25-54 performance since May 2011. “NewsNation” beat CNN by 22% in A25-54 (112,00 vs. 92,000) and 4% with total viewers (400,000 vs. 385,000). MSNBC is up 4% with total viewers and 100% with A18-34 over August 2011, posting the only growth by a cable news program in the hour.

* At 3 p.m., “The Cycle” posted the best delivery in the hour since July 2011. “The Cycle” topped CNN in A25-54 by 16% (111,000 vs. 96,000) and ranked #1 with the younger demo of A18-34. Compared to August 2011, “The Cycle” was up 9% in A25-54, 2% with total viewers, and 113% with A18-34, the only cable news program to post growth in the hour.

* “Martin Bashir” at 4 p.m. posted the best A25-54 and total viewer delivery in the hour since January 2009. “Martin Bashir” beat CNN by 19% in A25-54 (126,000 vs. 106,000) and 26% in total viewers (559,000 vs. 443,000). Compared to August 2011, MSNBC is up 20% in A25-54, 32% with total viewers, and 62% in A18-34, the only cable news program to post growth in the hour.

* On Saturdays in August (excluding Olympic data – based on 3 telecasts), “Weekends with Alex Witt” (7a-8a) was up 11% from August 2011, more growth than all other cable news programs combined. It also ranked #1 in A18-34. “Up w/ Chris Hayes” (Sat 8a-10a – 2 telecasts) topped CNN by 35% in A25-54 and 25% with total viewers. Compared to August 2011, “Up” grew 76% with A25-54 and 52% with total viewers, more growth than all other cable news programs in the time period combined.

* On Sundays in August (excluding Olympics data – based on 3 telecasts), “Up w/ Chris Hayes” (8a-10a) beat CNN by 43% among A25-54 (154,000 vs. 108,000) and by 16% with total viewers (429,000 vs. 370,000). “Up” grew 9% with total viewers compared to August 2011, more growth than all other cable news programs in the time period combined. “Up” also ranked #1 among the younger demo of A18-34. “Melissa Harris-Perry” (10a-12n) topped CNN by 2% in A25-54 (114,000 vs. 112,000) and ranked #1 with A18-34.

* MSNBC ranked #1 in the younger demo of A18-34 in weekend sales prime (Sa/Su 7p-2a) for the 46th consecutive month.