Cable news made news itself during the week of Nov. 29 with the unexpected conclusion of “Cuomo Prime Time” on CNN.
For the better part of the 2021 calendar year, the show, hosted by Chris Cuomo, had been under scrutiny as its host is the younger brother of ousted New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. On the air, “Cuomo Prime Time” did not cover Andrew’s scandals concerning multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, Andrew’s alleged misuse of governmental resources for his book about leadership in the midst of the crisis, and the falsified data of those who perished in New York nursing homes during the early months of the pandemic in 2020. A “Washington Post” article published this past May which detailed Chris Cuomo’s involvement in strategy sessions for Andrew had presented a conflict of interest but had not yet risen to the level of termination for Chris.
The Aug. 16 edition of “Cuomo Prime Time” finally addressed Andrew’s news which occurred almost a week following Andrew’s governor resignation announcement. Chris then admitted he “tried to do the right thing” in attempting to help his older brother while placing his journalistic integrity in jeopardy. That night drew 1.46 million total viewers and 393,000 in the key adults 25-54 demographic, according to Nielsen Media Research.
Chris assured the public that his role in assisting his brother Andrew had been minimal. In addition, that assurance seemed enough to satisfy the higher-ups at CNN who still valued his presence on the network. Nonetheless, a document dump on Nov. 29 from the office of New York Attorney General Letitia James which had led the investigation on Andrew Cuomo put Chris’ claims of limited involvement into question. It was revealed that Chris had used his connections within press circles to investigate the women who had accused Andrew of misconduct.
Monday, Nov. 29 was the unexpected final edition of “Cuomo Prime Time”. That night, which was absent of any talk about that day’s document dump, delivered 758,000 total viewers and 158,000 adults 25-54. On the following day, CNN suspended Chris Cuomo. Then, on Saturday Dec. 4, he was ultimately fired as new allegations of sexual misconduct upon him had arisen during the week.
The controversy has put CNN in a bind at a critical time. While CNN currently draws far less than their Fox News competition, it is cable news’ runner-up outlet among the key 25-54 demo. Chris Cuomo’s program was the main reason CNN held on to runner-up status in prime time, as the previous two months’ of their lineup had showed (most of the following “Don Lemon Tonight” data includes the show’s full two-hour 10 p.m.-midnight slot):
“Anderson Cooper 360” (Oct. 4-8): 807,000 total viewers; 154,000 adults 25-54
“Cuomo Prime Time” (Oct. 5-8): 849,000 total viewers; 154,000 adults 25-54
“Don Lemon Tonight” (Oct. 4-8): 534,000 total viewers; 126,000 adults 25-54
“Anderson Cooper 360” (Oct. 11-15): 765,000 total viewers; 168,000 adults 25-54
“Cuomo Prime Time” (Oct. 11-14): 788,000 total viewers; 165,000 adults 25-54
“Don Lemon Tonight” (Oct. 11-15): 527,000 total viewers; 125,000 adults 25-54
“Anderson Cooper 360” (Oct. 18-20 & 22): 834,000 total viewers; 139,000 adults 25-54
“Cuomo Prime Time” (Oct. 18-22): 867,000 total viewers; 168,000 adults 25-54
“Don Lemon Tonight” (Oct. 18-22): 518,000 total viewers; 119,000 adults 25-54
“Anderson Cooper 360” (Oct. 25-29): 681,000 total viewers; 139,000 adults 25-54
“Cuomo Prime Time” (Oct. 25-26 & 28-29): 717,000 total viewers; 130,000 adults 25-54
“Don Lemon Tonight” (Oct. 25-29): 507,000 total viewers; 119,000 adults 25-54
“Anderson Cooper 360” (Nov. 1 & 3-5): 774,000 total viewers; 178,000 adults 25-54
“Cuomo Prime Time” (Nov. 1 & 3-4): 685,000 total viewers; 156,000 adults 25-54
“Don Lemon Tonight” (Nov. 1 & 3-5): 496,000 total viewers; 118,000 adults 25-54
“Anderson Cooper 360” (Nov. 8-12): 762,000 total viewers; 170,000 adults 25-54
“Cuomo Prime Time” (Nov. 8-12): 757,000 total viewers; 165,000 adults 25-54
“Don Lemon Tonight” (Nov. 8-12): 523,000 total viewers; 148,000 adults 25-54
“Anderson Cooper 360” (Nov. 15-19): 844,000 total viewers; 178,000 adults 25-54
“Cuomo Prime Time” (Nov. 15-19): 844,000 total viewers; 186,000 adults 25-54
“Don Lemon Tonight” (Nov. 15-19): 555,000 total viewers; 135,000 adults 25-54
“Anderson Cooper 360” (Nov. 22-24): 744,000 total viewers; 164,000 adults 25-54
“Cuomo Prime Time” (Nov. 22-24): 776,000 total viewers; 166,000 adults 25-54
“Don Lemon Tonight” (Nov. 22-24): 639,000 total viewers; 148,000 adults 25-54
Only twice within the past eight weeks had “Anderson Cooper 360” topped “Cuomo Prime Time” in total viewers; only three times among 25-54. The one week where they each tied in total viewers (Nov. 15-19), “Cuomo” had won in adults 25-54.
Back on Nov. 29, “Anderson Cooper 360” was CNN’s top prime time program with 760,000 total viewers and 175,000 adults 25-54, barely edging past its aforementioned lead-out.
Chris Cuomo’s suspension on Nov. 30 caused a flurry of behind-the-scenes activity as Cooper’s show was unexpectedly extended to two hours that night, from 8-10 p.m. The controversy caused a spike in CNN’s ratings: “AC360” drew 946,000 total viewers and 203,000 adults 25-54 in the 8-9 p.m. hour; 897,000 total viewers and 222,000 adults 25-54 in the 9-10 p.m. hour. “Don Lemon Tonight” also rose on Nov. 30 to 842,000 total viewers and 239,000 adults 25-54 in the 10-11 p.m. hour.
The brief uplift continued on Wednesday, Dec. 1 but sandwiched in between “AC360” (911,000 total viewers; 188,000 adults 25-54) and the 10-11 p.m. portion of “Don Lemon Tonight” (711,000 total viewers; 165,000 adults 25-54) was an original installment of the global town hall entitled “Coronavirus: Facts and Fears” (861,000 total viewers; 196,000 adults 25-54).
Then, ratings seemed to have settled to a new lower normal beginning on Dec. 2 and thru to Dec. 8:
Thursday Dec. 2
8 p.m. — “Anderson Cooper 360”: 690,000 total viewers; 133,000 adults 25-54
9 p.m. — “Anderson Cooper 360”: 611,000 total viewers; 150,000 adults 25-54
10 p.m. (thru 11 p.m.) — “Don Lemon Tonight”: 654,000 total viewers; 144,000 adults 25-54
Friday Dec. 3
8 p.m. — “Anderson Cooper 360”: 822,000 total viewers; 175,000 adults 25-54
9 p.m. — “CNN Special Report: China’s Iron Fist” (repeat): 600,000 total viewers; 127,000 adults 25-54
10 p.m. (thru 11 p.m.) — “Don Lemon Tonight”: 578,000 total viewers; 132,000 adults 25-54
Monday Dec. 6
8 p.m. — “Anderson Cooper 360”: 708,000 total viewers; 0.09 A25-54 rating*
9 p.m. — “CNN Tonight”: 626,000 total viewers; 0.10 A25-54 rating*
10 p.m. (thru 11 p.m.) — “Don Lemon Tonight”: 502,000 total viewers; 0.09 A25-54 rating*
Tuesday Dec. 7
8 p.m. — “Anderson Cooper 360”: 706,000 total viewers; 0.13 A25-54 rating*
9 p.m. — “CNN Tonight”: 659,000 total viewers; 0.14 A25-54 rating*
10 p.m. (thru 11 p.m.) — “Don Lemon Tonight”: 645,000 total viewers; 0.13 A25-54 rating*
Wednesday Dec. 8
8 p.m. — “Anderson Cooper 360”: 717,000 total viewers; 0.13 A25-54 rating*
9 p.m. — “CNN Tonight”: 674,000 total viewers; 0.15 A25-54 rating*
10 p.m. (thru 11 p.m.) — “Don Lemon Tonight”: 619,000 total viewers; 0.15 A25-54 rating*
- note: a 0.10 rating in adults 25-54 equates to approximately 121,670 viewers within the demo
CNN may be able to keep its 25-54 demo prime time runner-up ranking in cable news for now. But of course, their margins with MSNBC have suddenly become narrower.
Over on the broadcast network side, George Stephanopolous’ prime time interview of Alec Baldwin on ABC on Dec. 2nd posted 4.22 million viewers and a 0.8 A25-54 rating. Those figures ranked fourth for the 8-9 p.m. hour on a more-competitive-than-usual Thursday night due to NBC’s live telecast of the musical “Annie” (5.77 million total viewers from 8-9 p.m.). It was Baldwin’s first exclusive interview since the accidental shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and director Joel Souza on the set of Baldwin’s western “Rust”. Hutchins died from the shot that was fired from the gun held by Baldwin during filming which he claimed had not had its trigger pulled.
Cable news averages for November 29-December 5, 2021. Fox News Channel extended their streaks to 42 weeks as cable’s most-watched network in total viewers..
Total Day (November 29-December 5 @ 6 a.m.-5:59 a.m.)
- Fox News Channel: 1.489 million viewers; 245,000 adults 25-54
- MSNBC: 0.704 million viewers; 80,000 adults 25-54
- CNN: 0.524 million viewers; 111,000 adults 25-54
- HLN: 0.203 million viewers; 61,000 adults 25-54
- CNBC: 0.142 million viewers; 31,000 adults 25-54
- Newsmax: 0.122 million viewers; 19,000 adults 25-54
- Fox Business Network: 0.105 million viewers; 11,000 adults 25-54
- The Weather Channel: 0.104 million viewers; 23,000 adults 25-54
Prime Time (November 29-December 4 @ 8-11 p.m.; December 5 @ 7-11 p.m.)
- Fox News Channel: 2.472 million viewers; 375,000 adults 25-54
- MSNBC: 1.203 million viewers; 140,000 adults 25-54
- CNN: 0.676 million viewers; 151,000 adults 25-54
- HLN: 0.232 million viewers; 70,000 adults 25-54
- CNBC: 0.168 million viewers; 48,000 adults 25-54
- Newsmax: 0.145 million viewers; 30,000 adults 25-54
- The Weather Channel: 0.120 million viewers; 29,000 adults 25-54
- Fox Business Network: 0.047 million viewers; 7,000 adults 25-54
Top 10 most-watched cable news programs (and the top MSNBC and CNN programs with their respective associated ranks) in total viewers:
1. Tucker Carlson Tonight (FOXNC, Tue. 11/30/2021 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 3.653 million viewers
2. Tucker Carlson Tonight (FOXNC, Wed. 12/1/2021 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 3.586 million viewers
3. The Five (FOXNC, Wed. 12/1/2021 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 3.527 million viewers
4. The Five (FOXNC, Mon. 11/29/2021 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 3.510 million viewers
5. The Five (FOXNC, Tue. 11/30/2021 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 3.500 million viewers
6. Tucker Carlson Tonight (FOXNC, Mon. 11/29/2021 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 3.413 million viewers
7. The Five (FOXNC, Thu. 12/2/2021 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 3.353 million viewers
8. The Five (FOXNC, Fri. 12/3/2021 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 3.276 million viewers
9. Hannity (FOXNC, Tue. 11/30/2021 9:00 PM, 60 min.) 3.256 million viewers
10. Tucker Carlson Tonight (FOXNC, Thu. 12/2/2021 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 3.250 million viewers
25. Rachel Maddow Show (MSNBC, Wed. 12/1/2021 9:00 PM, 60 min.) 2.280 million viewers
158. Anderson Cooper 360 (CNN, Tue. 11/30/2021 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.946 million viewers
Top 10 cable news programs (and the top MSNBC, CNN and HLN programs with their respective associated ranks) among adults 25-54:
1. Tucker Carlson Tonight (FOXNC, Tue. 11/30/2021 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.631 million adults 25-54
2. Tucker Carlson Tonight (FOXNC, Wed. 12/1/2021 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.615 million adults 25-54
3. Hannity (FOXNC, Tue. 11/30/2021 9:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.568 million adults 25-54
4. Tucker Carlson Tonight (FOXNC, Thu. 12/2/2021 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.562 million adults 25-54
5. The Five (FOXNC, Wed. 12/1/2021 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.557 million adults 25-54
6. The Five (FOXNC, Mon. 11/29/2021 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.532 million adults 25-54
7. Hannity (FOXNC, Wed. 12/1/2021 9:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.521 million adults 25-54
8. The Five (FOXNC, Thu. 12/2/2021 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.505 million adults 25-54
9. The Five (FOXNC, Tue. 11/30/2021 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.500 million adults 25-54
10. Tucker Carlson Tonight (FOXNC, Mon. 11/29/2021 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.476 million adults 25-54
33. Rachel Maddow Show (MSNBC, Wed. 12/1/2021 9:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.339 million adults 25-54
82. Don Lemon Tonight (CNN, Tue. 11/30/2021 10:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.239 million adults 25-54
144. Forensic Files “Fishing For The Truth” (HLN, late Wed. 12/1/2021 12:30 AM, 30 min.) 0.164 million adults 25-54
Source: Live+Same Day data, Nielsen Media Research
