Via TV by the Numbers:

MSNBC BEATS CNN IN PRIMETIME IN AUGUST AMONG VIEWERS 25-54

MSNBC #1 News Network Among Younger Viewers, 18-34, in Primetime

“Countdown with Keith Olbermann,” “The Rachel Maddow Show,” “Hardball with Chris Matthews” Beat CNN in Demo
NEW YORK – Sept. 1, 2009 – MSNBC beat CNN in primetime last month in the key Adults 25-54 demographic, according to data from Nielsen Media Research. MSNBC was also the #1 ranked news network among younger viewers, 18-34, in August. MSNBC’s “Countdown with Keith Olbermann,” “The Rachel Maddow Show” and “Hardball with Chris Matthews” all out-rated CNN among A25-54 in August. Following are MSNBC ratings highlights for August:

· MSNBC out-rated CNN in August in A25-54 in primetime (M-Su, 8-11 p.m.) by 11 percent (276,000 vs. 248,000). MSNBC was also the #1 news network among younger viewers, Adults 18-34, in primetime, outdelivering CNN by 61 percent and FNC by 4 percent.

· “Countdown with Keith Olbermann” continued its success, beating CNN’s “Campbell Brown” among Adults 25-54 by a huge 62 percent among A25-54 (345,000 vs. 213,000) and by 43 percent among total viewers (1,087,000 vs. 761,000). “Countdown” out-rated “Campbell Brown” among A18-34 by 114 percent last month (124,000 vs. 58,000).

· “The Rachel Maddow Show” out-rated CNN’s “Larry King Live” among A25-54 in August (304,000 vs. 294,000). “TRMS” is the fastest growing cable news show at 9 p.m, up a huge 92 percent in total viewers versus August 2008 (996,000 vs. 519,000) and up 61 percent in A25-54 (304,000 vs. 188,000). “TRMS” also beat “Larry King” among younger viewers 18-34 in August by 29 percent (93,000 vs. 72,000).

· “Hardball with Chris Matthews” at 7 p.m. beat CNN’s “Lou Dobbs Tonight” by 13 percent in A25-54 in August (198,000 vs. 175,000) and virtually tied CNN at 5 p.m. among A25-54 (148,000 vs. 149,000).

· MSNBC beat CNN in weekend sales prime (7 p.m.-2 a.m.) by 32 percent among A25-54 (241,000 vs. 182,000). MSNBC was also the #1 cable news net in this time period among A18-34.

So no stats concerning The Ed Show? Does it come on both too early/late to count?

Personally I think why Fox News is doing so well is, for example myself, I just tune into MSNBC when it's convenient to catch up on the days news, usually from the favorite commentators. Whereas the Fox viewers are going not to get news but to get told what to think and what to fear, and it's increased ever since Obama took office. It's unfortunate to say, but my own grandmother spends most of the time watching Fox News, so I'd imagine there's plenty of people, including older folks, watching Fox religiously.

I hate it when show hosts boast of their own ratings. High ratings don't make me want to watch a show. The quality of it makes me want to watch.

Seldom do the two go hand in hand.

I heard that The Ed Show is beating the Situation Room. Ed is talking about issues that people deeply care about. I don't see that anywhere on CNN's primetime lineup. No shock to hear Rachel beating Larry King. Larry is too obsessed with celebrity news, Rachel talks about stuff that people care for, just like Ed is.