Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Hallmark Channel Overtakes MSNBC, CNN In Ratings
Trending Politics ^ | 10/28/2024 | Chris Powell

Posted on 11/28/2024 10:56:43 AM PST by Signalman

The Hallmark Channel has quietly surged past MSNBC and CNN in ratings during a season dominated by festive films. Known for its feel-good holiday programming, the network has steadily climbed the viewership ranks since the launch of its Christmas movie lineup on October 18.

According to Nielsen data, Hallmark averaged 526,000 viewers at any given time during the week of November 18 to 24. The impressive figure made the network the third most-watched cable channel overall, trailing only Fox News and ESPN. By comparison, MSNBC pulled in 458,000 viewers during the same period, while CNN lagged behind with 314,000.

The leap in popularity is notable, considering Hallmark ranked as the seventh most popular total-day channel during the week of its lineup’s debut according to Forbes. Back then, it averaged 387,000 viewers—a respectable number that has since ballooned thanks to its seasonal content.

The debut weekend of its first new Christmas movies made it the No. 1 entertainment cable network among women aged 18 and older. It surpassed competitors like HGTV, Investigation Discovery, and TLC, proving that its formula of romance, family, and holiday magic continues to resonate.

Hallmark’s ratings triumph also comes at a time when traditional news channels like MSNBC and CNN are grappling with fluctuating viewership in the wake of the presidential election.

Both networks have experienced notable drops in audience numbers. MSNBC’s total audience nearly halved post-Election Day, with star anchor Rachel Maddow seeing a 41% decrease in viewers, affecting her program’s performance, especially in the key 25-54 demographic. The network as a whole has faced a 47% drop in total-day viewers according to The New York Post.

With ratings in free fall after Trump’s decisive victory, insiders say the network is preparing for a major overhaul. Changes include programming shakeups, shifting roles for household names, and, notably, a significant pay cut for MSNBC’s star anchor, Rachel Maddow.

Maddow, who once commanded a staggering $30 million annual salary, has reportedly re-upped her contract for a fraction of that amount. She has renegotiated her contract for a $25 million salary over the next five years. According to The Ankler, Maddow’s deal was quietly renewed earlier this fall under vastly different terms.

“This is a difficult time and they needed to keep her,” an executive explained to The Ankler. “No one else can do what she does. You can’t build a brand like it overnight.” Another executive referred to Maddow as “ratings Viagra.”

Similarly, CNN’s ratings have significantly diminished since the 2016 election, with their primetime viewership falling from 13.3 million to approximately 800,000. The network has undergone leadership upheavals, notably with the departure of former president Chris Licht, who has blamed a profile piece for contributing to his termination.

A piece by ‘The Atlantic’ ultimately played a significant role in his downfall. The profile painted a picture of Licht as out of touch with CNN staff and struggling to manage the network effectively. This sparked widespread criticism and intensified internal backlash, eventually leading to his dismissal in June.


TOPICS: Miscellaneous; TV/Movies
KEYWORDS: cnn; hallmarkchannel; msnbc
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-30 next last
Next after Hallmark Channel...The Cartoon Channel.
1 posted on 11/28/2024 10:56:43 AM PST by Signalman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: GOPJ; poconopundit; Jane Long; Diana in Wisconsin; Grampa Dave; Godzilla; Vaduz; null and void; ...

p


2 posted on 11/28/2024 10:58:44 AM PST by Liz (The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to RULE. (H.L, Mencken))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Signalman

Bwahahahahahaha! Too funny.


3 posted on 11/28/2024 11:00:42 AM PST by Allegra (Deplorable garbage)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Signalman

How can MadCow possibly get by with only 5 million a year. I think the Professional Bowling channel probably beats MSNBC.


4 posted on 11/28/2024 11:08:11 AM PST by Huskrrrr (Alinsky, you magnificent Bastard, I read your book!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Huskrrrr
How can MadCow possibly get by with only 5 million a year. I think the Professional Bowling channel probably beats MSNBC.

I thinkI heard that she will just be getting 5 million less than she is making now.

5 posted on 11/28/2024 11:10:54 AM PST by Irish Eyes
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Signalman

Hallmark should make a Christmas movie about the rise and fall of a cable TV commentator.

The folks from CNN and MSNBC could watch it and cry.


6 posted on 11/28/2024 11:11:39 AM PST by fruser1
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Signalman

Tee

Hee!


7 posted on 11/28/2024 11:12:16 AM PST by bgill
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Signalman

That’s just sad. 😆


8 posted on 11/28/2024 11:18:48 AM PST by Georgia Girl 2 (The only purpose of a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you should never have dropped)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Signalman

Americans are back into the greatness of living in America again and the joy and happiness we have. The miserable evil days of the O’Bama, Biden and Harris days are over. The Sun is shining on America again!


9 posted on 11/28/2024 11:21:54 AM PST by FlingWingFlyer (My least favorite plantation team sports are the NBA and the NFL.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Signalman

Yes the propaganda markets plummet due to 4 years of it.


10 posted on 11/28/2024 11:26:50 AM PST by Vaduz
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: fruser1
> Hallmark should make a Christmas movie about the rise and fall of a cable TV commentator. <

Given that it’s Hallmark, there has to be a happy ending. Perhaps the commentator could move to a small town, take a job in a diner, and finally understand what real America is all about.


11 posted on 11/28/2024 11:28:04 AM PST by Leaning Right (It’s morning in America. Again.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Signalman

https://www.reddit.com/r/TikTokCringe/comments/z2198h/every_hallmark_christmas_movie/


12 posted on 11/28/2024 11:32:12 AM PST by Larry Lucido (Donate! Don't just post clickbait!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Signalman

RE: (Maddow contract) “This is a difficult time and they needed to keep her,” an executive explained....

Should have figured out the sinking ship isn’t helped by more Maddow.

“You can have her, I don’t want her, she’s too woke for me.”
Adapted from Too Fat Polka by Frankie Yankovic


13 posted on 11/28/2024 11:39:09 AM PST by frank ballenger (There's a battle outside and it's raging. It'll soon shake your windows and rattle your walls. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Leaning Right

Photo....

Guy in window booth to his wife: “I sent links of Kamala’s talk about keeping power to all the kids and grandkids and my buddies. So darn inspiring, even now I get—, I—, I get choked up. If only she had been given more time to win that election. And if the news media have given her some support.”

Wife: “Now you’re lost for another hour. Just try to enjoy the meal, dear.”


14 posted on 11/28/2024 11:45:08 AM PST by frank ballenger (There's a battle outside and it's raging. It'll soon shake your windows and rattle your walls. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Irish Eyes

RE: Maddow cut by $5 million, still gets $25 million....

Story confirmed. Saw her with a shopping cart and big plastic lawn bags as she peered into garbage dumpsters for returnables. She’ll get through this thing.


15 posted on 11/28/2024 11:49:26 AM PST by frank ballenger (There's a battle outside and it's raging. It'll soon shake your windows and rattle your walls. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Huskrrrr
How can MadCow possibly get by with only 5 million a year.

Yes, she's making $25m a year. She was belly-aching because she had to take a $5m pay cut from her previous $30m. The mind boggles.

16 posted on 11/28/2024 12:13:27 PM PST by KevinB (Word for the day: "kakistocracy" - a society governed by its least suitable or competent citizens)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Signalman

Just wait till Superbowl Sunday next February.
The Puppy Bowl will outdo MSNBC for viewers.


17 posted on 11/28/2024 12:53:41 PM PST by lee martell
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Signalman

our local TV station’s midnight test pattern probably could out-rank MSNBC or CNN


18 posted on 11/28/2024 3:11:01 PM PST by faithhopecharity ("Politicians aren't born, they're excreted." Marcus Tullius Cicero (106 to 43 BCE))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Signalman

I would much rather watch Hallmark romances than CNN or MSNBC. Hallmark has pleasant fiction, but the other two stations carry unpleasant fiction.


19 posted on 11/28/2024 5:08:26 PM PST by KittyKares
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Signalman
Next after Hallmark Channel...The Cartoon Shopping Channel. "
20 posted on 11/28/2024 5:12:20 PM PST by Henchster (Free Republic - the BEST site on the web!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-30 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson