Fox News, MSNBC, & CNN All Claim The #1 Spot
The first quarter’s ratings of 2021 are in and an unusual thing happened as all three cable news networks claimed ownership of the top spot.
How is this possible?
Well, Fox News is number one when it comes to being the most-watched cable news network in primetime. It averaged roughly 2.5 million viewers during this period continuing a streak of 77 straight quarters as the leading cable news channel with total prime time viewers.
It was all not rosy for the network as it fell by 34% in total prime time viewers, by 28% in total day viewers, by 46% in the prime time demo of adults 25-54, and by 37% in the total day demo when compared to the fourth quarter of 2020.
MSNBC is claiming the number one spot when it comes to total day viewers as it eked out a slim victory over its rivals with 1.38 million viewers. CNN was a close second with 1.36 million and Fox News had 1.34 million viewers.
Despite the win, MSNBC fell by 10% in total prime time total viewers, and by 5% in total day viewers. Among adults 25-54, the network was down by 18% in prime time and by 12% in the total day when compared to the fourth quarter of 2020.
CNN’s claim to the crown was that it was the number one network in the adults 25-54 demo. The network beat its rivals in primetime, dayside, and total day within that demo.
However, when compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 CNN was down by 18% in total prime time viewers, by 9% in total day viewers, by 26% in the adults 25-54 prime time demo, and by 15% in the total day demo.
A busy news cycle in the first three months of the year began with the insurrection, followed by the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris, and then the impeachment of Donald Trump, as well as continuing coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic and the vaccine rollout contributed to the news networks’ dominance.
MSNBC and CNN are beginning to feel the effects of a not-so-intense news cycle as their ratings have begun to cool off considerably.
(TVNewser, NBCUniversal Media Village, Brian Lowry/Twitter, and CNN Press Room)
RECAP
MSNBC Revamps The Names Of Its Daytime Shows
MSNBC is dropping MSNBC Live for its daytime and weekend news shows and rechristening them as MSNBC Reports. MSNBC Reports will be the overarching brand for the news block, but it will incorporate the anchor’s name in front of “Reports” during a particular show e.g. Craig Melvin Reports, Katy Tur Reports. The name change is meant to emphasize MSNBC’s hard news coverage and also make a clear distinction between its analysis or as they like to call it “perspective” programming. (Variety and NewscastStudio)
ESPN’s Plans For The NHL
The NHL will be skating back to ESPN screens in the fall and the network wants to make sure its coverage of the sport is as detailed and as comprehensive like the other major leagues it carries. The network is looking to hire a reporter/s who breaks news in the same realm as Adam Schefter, who breaks NFL news, and Adrian Wojnarowski, who breaks NBA news. Other programming details include a weekly show on ESPN or ESPN 2, and a postgame show on ESPN Plus after a game airs on the streaming service. (Front Office Sports)
Derek Chauvin Trail Creates Awareness For CourtTV
CourtTV version 2.0 has been on the air for some time now, but the Derek Chauvin trial is introducing the network to a whole new audience. CourtTV, which relaunched in 2019 and is available for free through an over-the-air antenna or via livestreaming, is seeing a ratings surge as a result of the trial. The network has seen its TV viewership increase by 30% for the total day since it started covering the trial three weeks ago and livestreaming has grown by 346% from 3 million minutes a week to 13.5 million. (Los Angeles Times)
QUICK RECAP
Don Farmer, a CNN original, passes away. (CNN)
Executive vice-president Jodi Markley retires from ESPN. (ESPN Press Room)
Bret Bair signs a five-year contract extension deal at Fox News. (TVNewser)
Dick Vitale signs a new contract extension deal at ESPN. (Front Office Sports)
Lara Trump joins Fox News as a contributor. (Mediaite)
Multi-platform host and reporter Charly Arnolt joins ESPN full time. (ESPN Press Room)
ABC News announces a temporary leadership structure after James Goldston’s departure. (TVNewser)
Soon to launch UK news network GB News channel adds former ITN news anchor Alastair Stewart. (The Guardian)
NBC News’ Lester Holts receives the Murrow Achievement Award in Journalism. (People)
Former CNN International news anchor, Isha Sesay, joins OkayMedia as its new CEO. (AdWeek)
Media companies with the exception of AT&T/WarnerMedia are silent on voting rights bills. (New York Times)
First Quarter Ratings: Evening news viewership slowly coming back down to earth. (Deadline)
First Quarter Ratings: ABC News’ Good Morning America remains on top. (ABC News Public Relations)
First Quarter Ratings: NBC News’ Today Show remains number one in the demo. (NBC News PR)
First Quarter Ratings: CBS This Morning is closing the gap on its morning rivals. (ViacomCBS Press Express)
Univision is set to launch a streaming service. (Deadline)
Fox Sports announces its MLB broadcast team. (Michael McCarthy/Twitter)
ESPN reveals its coverage plans for The Masters. (ESPN Press Room)
Fox News is trying to offer a conservative alternative to late-night comedy with its new show hosted by Greg Gutfeld. (Bloomberg)
The Fox Sports RSN to Bally Sports RSN transformation is complete. (AdWeek)
ITV’s Kevin Lygo says Piers Morgan is irreplaceable on Good Morning Britain. (Deadline)
Fox News has not had any conversations with Republican congressman Matt Gaetz. (Daily Beast)
Vice Media is considering merging with 7GC & Co Holdings so as to go public. (MediaPost)
Comcast is thinking about pulling its Universal movies from HBO Max and Netflix and moving them to Peacock. (Bloomberg)
Fox News’ streaming service Fox Nation expands beyond just the news. (Variety)
Chicago Cubs’ Marquee Sports Network joins FuboTV. (Chicago Sun-Times)
BBC News moves its correspondent from Beijing to Taiwan. (CNN)
Fox Corp CEO Lachlan Murdoch moves, with his family, from Los Angeles to Sydney, Australia. (NPR)
Streaming news services are becoming a major priority for broadcast and cable news networks. (Variety)
Disney wants to better engage with its Black subscribers. (IGN)
Profile on the folks who built the new NFL media rights package. (Sports Business Journal)
Former White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany to co-host Fox News’ Outnumbered. (Los Angeles Times)
USA extends WWE’s NXT. (AdWeek)
DAZN secures the rights to Italy’s Serie A. (Front Office Sports)
Meadowlark Media formed by former ESPN Boss John Skipper and Dan LeBatard raises $12.6 million in series A funding. (Richard Deitsch/Twitter)
Derek Chauvin's trial coverage is being offered by a wide variety of networks. (Associated Press)
ESPN announces its 2021 NBA Draft coverage plans. (NBA)
Fox News’ Tucker Carlson Tonight gets a graphics makeover. (NewscastStudio)
Profile on the folks who built the new NFL media rights package. (Sports Business Journal)
Barry Jenkins moves his TV deal from Amazon to HBO/HBO Max. (Hollywood Reporter)
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A MarkHenry Media LLC publication - issue #53 - 2021