CNN has wrapped up the first quarter of 2016 with its most-watched quarter in total daytime viewers since 2009, and its best primetime viewership since 2008.
The cable news network finished behind Fox News but dominated MSNBC, and showed the most primetime growth among the three rivals. CNN averaged 1.42 million primetime viewers, while MSNBC averaged 888,000. This marks CNN’s biggest quarterly total viewer advantage over MSNBC in prime time in eight years.
CNN was the fastest growing Top 70 cable network in primetime and finished up 165 percent compared to the first quarter of 2015. “Erin Burnett Outfront,” “Anderson Cooper 360” and “CNN Tonight with Don Lemon” make up the successful primetime lineup which was accompanied by 12 debates and town halls. The network grew 143 percent in the key demo of adults age 25-54.
Only Fox News, ESPN, TBS, HGTV and USA finished ahead of CNN among all cable networks during primetime. Among total daytime cable viewers, CNN finished No. 11 overall and grew 57 percent compared to last year.
CNN will hope to keep up the success with tonight’s GOP town hall featuring the three remaining candidates. At 8 p.m. ET/5 PT Anderson Cooper will moderate the event from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Meanwhile, the highly anticipated “The Eighties” documentary series kicks off on Thursday night.