CNN Ratings Collapse

[Phx_Dem]

I wonder if Anderson Cooper's always dour expressions/personality have anything to do with it? I'm kidding -- though not about the dour expressions. At least pretend like you enjoy your job, Anderson.


CNN's March Ratings So Far: More Lamb than Lion

More evidence that CNN is going to have to find a new strategy fast or risk becoming a cable news also-ran: In the month of March so far, the Time Warner-owned network has come in fourth place in prime time among adults 25 to 54, the key demographic for advertisers, more often than not.

Through March 17, CNN trailed not only Fox News and MSNBC but also its own sister network, Headline News, on nine out of 17 days. On one day, March 13, CNN even drew fewer 25-to-54 viewers than CNBC -- the first time that's happened since November 2007. And of the eight days it finished higher than fourth in the demo, five were either Saturdays or Sundays, typically the lowest rated nights for the news networks.

Asked about the trend, a CNN spokeswoman offered a statement that emphasized the network's long-term ratings growth -- while ignoring the even sharper gains made by Fox News and MSNBC -- and its claim to being No. 1 in total reach. (As I've noted before, that claim is based on CNN's "cume," or cumulative audience, a measure generally considered less important to advertisers.)

http://www.portfolio.com/views/blogs/mixed-media/2009/03/20/cnns-march-ratings-so-far-more-lamb-than-lion