Super Tuesday resulted in super ratings for CNN and Fox News Channel.
Fox News was the most-watched cable news channel from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. PT when results rolled in and candidates gave speeches. FNC’s coverage, anchored by Bret Baier and Megyn Kelly, averaged 4.88 million viewers. CNN finished second with 4.10 million and MSNBC was a distant third with 1.98 million viewers.
However, CNN won the age 25-54 demographic that is critical for advertisers during that time period. CNN has been on a roll among the key demo, averaging 1.6 million viewers compared to 1.36 million for Fox News. MSNBC didn’t crack the million-viewer plateau, averaging only 625,077 viewers between the ages of 25 and 54.
CNN’s coverage, with Wolf Blitzer, Dana Bash, Jake Tapper and Anderson Cooper, had the largest cable news primary or caucuses viewership on record among the demo.
MSNBC’s coverage with anchors Brian Williams, Rachel Maddow and Chris Matthews was down 6 percent in total viewers compared to Super Tuesday 2008, while Fox News grew 40 percent and CNN grew 12 percent.