MSNBC scored its highest-rated quarter in the network’s 20-plus-year history at the beginning of 2017, according to Nielsen Research, while CNN registered its most-watched first quarter since 2003.
In January, February and March, MSNBC enjoyed more growth than any other cable news network when compared to the same quarter in 2016, up 61 percent in primetime total viewers (1.43 million) and 49 percent in the coveted 24- to 54-year-old demographic (337,000).
Meanwhile, CNN saw its most-watched first quarter since the beginning of the Iraq War in 2003, both among adults age 25 to 54 and in total viewers.
{mosads}Among all quarters, CNN posted its second highest quarterly ratings in Total Day (6 a.m. to 6 p.m.) in the 25–54 demographic in averaging 266,000 viewers, and its third highest in prime time since the fourth quarter of 2008 with an average of 411,000 in the category.
MSNBC was led by Rachel Maddow, who has finished first in the demographic each of the past three weeks in cable news, marking her longest streak on top of the ratings since December 2012, following the reelection of President Obama.
On CNN, “The Lead with Jake Tapper” also showed the most growth in cable news in the time period (4 p.m.), up 56 percent in the demographic compared to the first quarter of 2016 and increasing 39 percent in total viewers.
Overall, the theme continues a trend of split decisions between CNN and MSNBC in the race for second place behind Fox News, as CNN won every hour of the day in the 25–54 demographic outside of Maddow’s 9 p.m. hour, while MSNBC topped CNN in the morning (6 a.m. to 9 a.m.) and in prime time in the total viewer category.
With interest in political news and theater at all-time due to the stunning election of Donald Trump, all cable news networks are unprecedented growth for a post-election year.
CNN in particular has bolstered its political roster as a result.
Since January, CNN has added former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.); Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.); former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D); The Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza, David Fahrenthold and Wesley Lowery; former Obama State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki; J.D. Vance of National Review; and Salena Zito of the Washington Examiner, among others.
NBC/MSNBC signed former Obama White House press secretary Josh Earnest Monday as a political analyst. Mark Halperin was also named NBC’s senior political analyst in February after a stint at Bloomberg.
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