It’s no April Fool’s joke — last month CNN delivered its lowest-rated month in total day in over a decade, since August 2001, the month before the September 11 attacks. The once-dominant cable news network posted decade-lows among both total viewers (357,000) and Adults 25–54 (108,000). Versus April last year, CNN was down 21% in total viewers and 29% in 25–54. In comparison, leader Fox News Channel was up 2% in total viewers (1.1 million) and 1% in 25-54 (273,000) and No.2 MSNBC was flat in total viewers (425,000) and down 5% in 25–54 (139,000).
And since we’re going to be picking on gasbag Piers Morgan for the foreseeable future, TV Newser has singled out his ratings vs. Rachel Maddow:
“The Rachel Maddow Show” at 9 p.m. beat CNN’s “Piers Morgan Tonight” by 78% among A25–54 (287,000 vs. 161,000) and by 74% among total viewers (985,000 vs. 567,000). “The Rachel Maddow Show” has now topped CNN for 27 straight months among total viewers and 13 consecutive months in A25–54. “Maddow” was ranked #1 among A18–34 for the month and had 37% growth among the younger demo compared to April 2011.
I’ll go out on a limb with a prediction that by the time Jonah writes his third book, his interview in the 9:00 slot on CNN to discuss said book won’t be with Piers.