Last night’s MSNBC two-hour special “The Trump | Putin Power Play” finished #2, beating CNN’s Town Hall and regular programming in both total viewers and among the Adults 25-54 demo audience, according to Nielsen.

During the primetime special, Brian Williams and Chris Matthews were joined by Andrea Mitchell, David Remnick and a slate of leaders from Capitol Hill and specialists in the field of U.S.-Russia relations. Richard Engel also joined live from Moscow.

Additionally, “11th Hour with Brian Williams” at 11pmET beat CNN in total viewers and the key 25-54 news demo.

Wednesday 03/01/2017

According to Nielsen research

MORE PEOPLE WATCHED MSNBC THAN CNN IN FEBRUARY

MSNBC M-F Prime Finishes #2 Among All Cable Networks in Total Viewers, Beats CNN for Third Straight Month

MSNBC M-F Total Day Ranks #3 for All Cable, Outperforms CNN in Total Viewers

“Morning Joe” Ranks #2 in Time Period for All Cable, Continues Total Viewer Win Over Third-Place CNN for 24th Straight Month

“The Rachel Maddow Show” Ranks #2 for Total and Demo Audiences, Bests CNN for the 45th Straight Month

MSNBC Also Beats CNN Among Total Viewers at 7pm, 8pm, 10pm, and 11pm

NEW YORK (February 28, 2017) – For the month of February 2017, more people tuned in to MSNBC than CNN. MSNBC weekday prime (M-F 8-11pm) finished #2 in total viewers among all cable networks, beating CNN for the third straight month. MSNBC prime delivered higher growth than the competition, posting a gain of +64% among total viewers compared to February 2016 (vs. -29% for CNN and +30% for FOX News).

MSNBC also ranked #3 in total day (M-F 6am-2am) audience among all cable networks in total viewers. MSNBC’s full day growth far outpaced the competition, delivering the third most growth in all of cable and posting a gain of +60% compared to February 2016 (vs. +16% for CNN and +34% for FOX News).

Year-to-date through February 2017, MSNBC is the fastest-growing cable network among all cable in weekday prime, up +63% in total viewers over 2016 (vs. -6% for CNN and +28% for FOX News).

More viewers tuned in to “Morning Joe” (M-F 6-9am) than to CNN’s “New Day” for February 2017 for the 24th consecutive month. “Morning Joe” also ranked #2 among all cable networks in the time period for total viewers. “Morning Joe” delivered 849,000 total viewers, the second highest ever for the show and for the network in the time period.  

“The Rachel Maddow Show” (M-F 9-10pm) saw significant growth across the board and finished #2 in both total viewers and the key news adults 25-54 demographic. “The Rachel Maddow Show” delivered MSNBC’s and the show’s biggest total viewer audience ever in the time period.  “The Rachel Maddow Show” also beat CNN’s regularly scheduled programs for the 45th straight month.  The show posted its best demo delivery in the time period since November 2012.

Since making a strategic shift to breaking news, MSNBC dayside (M-F 9am-5pm) continues to perform strongly, growing faster than both CNN and FOX News in total viewers.  MSNBC is up +62% (vs. +51% for CNN and +41% for FOX News) compared to February 2016. MSNBC dayside posted year-to-year gains of +51% among viewers A25-54.

Four more MSNBC programs each beat CNN among total viewers: “Hardball with Chris Matthews” at 7pm, “All In with Chris Hayes” at 8pm, “The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell” at 10pm, and “The 11th Hour with Brian Williams” at 11pm.

NOTE: February 2017 ratings are based on Nielsen Live+Same data day for 1/30-2/26/17. Individual show data represents regular programming only, excluding election night, specials and breaking news.

FEBRUARY 2017 PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS MORNING JOE (M-F 6-9am)

• “Morning Joe” ranked #2 among all cable networks in the time period for total viewers, continuing its winning streak over CNN’s third-place “New Day” for the 24th month in a row.
• “Morning Joe” was up +38% in total viewers (847,000 vs. CNN’s 649,000) and +25% in A25-54 (193,000) over last year.
• “Morning Joe” posted its second best total viewer delivery ever for the show and for MSNBC in the time period.

DAYSIDE (M-F 9am-5pm)

• MSNBC dayside’s year-to-year growth in total viewers continues to soar over the competition, posting gains of +62% (vs. CNN’s +51% and FOX News’ +41%). 
• In the key A25-54 demo, MSNBC dayside posted gains of +51% over February 2016.
• “Andrea Mitchell Reports” (M-F 12-1pm) delivered more growth than the competition in total viewers. The program was up +71% in total viewers (vs. CNN’s +50% and FOX News’ +48%) and +59% in the demo (vs. FOX News’ +55%).
• “Andrea Mitchell Reports” averaged 772,000 total viewers and 156,000 viewers A25-54.

EARLY EVENING (M-F 5-8pm)

• “MTP Daily with Chuck Todd” was up +73% in total viewers and +76% in the demo over February 2016.
• “MTP Daily” averaged 1,048,000 total viewers and 202,000 viewers A25-54.
• “For the Record with Greta,” which debuted on MSNBC in January 9, 2017, outpaced the growth of CNN and FOX News in total viewers (+60% vs. CNN’s +57% and FOX News’ +27%). In the A25-54 demo, “For the Record” posted more growth than FOX News (+80% vs. FOX News’ +36%) compared to February 2016.
• “For the Record” averaged 902,000 total viewers and 198,000 viewers A25-54.
• “Hardball with Chris Matthews” topped third-ranked CNN among total viewers for the seventh straight month. 
• “Hardball” was up +56% in total viewers and +69% in the demo over February 2016.
• "Hardball" averaged 1.45 million total viewers and 302,000 viewers A25-54.

WEEKDAY PRIME (M-F 8-11pm)

• MSNBC weekday prime finished #2 in total viewers among all cable networks, beating CNN for the third straight month in February 2017.
• MSNBC prime delivered higher growth than the competition, posting gains of +64% among total viewers compared to February 2016 (vs. -29% for CNN and +30% for FOX News). This is the second highest growth among all cable networks (behind Oxygen’s +65%).
• In the A25-54 demo, MSNBC was up +48% compared to February 2016 (vs. CNN’s -17% and FOX News’ +38%).
• “All In with Chris Hayes” ranked #2 in total viewers for the third straight month and posted the best program delivery in the hour since November 2008.
• “All In” delivered more growth than its competition in total viewers (+91% vs. CNN’s +34% and FOX News’ +29%) and the A25-54 demo (+88% vs. CNN’s +68% and FNC’s +45%).
• “All In” averaged 1.6 million total viewers and 359,000 viewers A25-54.
• “The Rachel Maddow Show” extended its winning streak and ranked #2 in total viewers and the A25-54 demo, beating CNN’s regular programming for the 45th straight month. This is the program’s best demo delivery in the time period since November 2012.
• “The Rachel Maddow Show” delivered more growth than FOX News in both total viewers (+99% vs CNN’s +70% and FOX News’ +31%) and the A25-54 demo (+93% vs. FOX News’ +55%) over February 2016. This is the program’s best total viewer delivery in the hour ever, and the best demo delivery since November 2012.
• “The Rachel Maddow Show” averaged 2.3 million total viewers and 528,000 viewers A25-54.
• “The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell” again ranked #2 in total viewers, beating CNN’s regular programming for the 21st straight month.
• “The Last Word” delivered more growth than FOX News in both total viewers (+107% vs CNN’s +82% and FOX News’ +49%) and the A25-54 demo (+95% vs. FOX News’ +55%) over February 2016. This is the program’s best total viewer delivery in the hour ever, and the best demo delivery since November 2012.
• “The Last Word” averaged 1.9 million total viewers and 423,000 viewers A25-54.

THE 11TH HOUR WITH BRIAN WILLIAMS (M-Th 11-11:30pm)

• “The 11th Hour with Brian Williams” ranked #2 in the half hour ahead of CNN among total viewers for the 7th straight month.
• The program’s growth surged over the competition, nearly delivering a six-fold increase of FOX News and CNN in total viewers (+169% vs. CNN’s +22% and FOX News’ +24%). In the demo, “The 11th Hour” nearly tripled the competition in growth (+121% vs. CNN’s +34% and FOX News’ +26%).
• “The 11th Hour” averaged 1.6 million total viewers and 360,000 viewers A25-54.

AM JOY (Sa-Su 10am-12pm)

• Saturday editions of “AM Joy” more than tripled the growth of its competition in total viewers (+121% vs. CNN’s +32% and FNC’s +22%). “AM Joy” also posted more growth than CNN and FOX News in the A25-54 demo (+85% vs. CNN’s +74% and FOX News’ +36%). The Saturday edition averaged 981,000 total viewers and 210,000 viewers A25-54. 
• Sunday editions posted more growth than CNN and FOX News in both total viewers (+87% vs. CNN’s +48% and FOX News’ +29%) and the A25-54 demo (+94% vs. CNN’s +69% and FOX News’ +28%). The Sunday edition averaged 810,000 total viewers and 215,000 viewers A25-54.

###

MSNBC Prime Beats CNN in Total Viewers, Ranks 6th Among All Cable Networks

MSNBC Weekday Prime Growth Outpaces the Competition in Key A25-54 Demo

“Morning Joe” Tops CNN for 23rd Month in a Row, Posts Best January Ever for Time Period

NEW YORK (January 31, 2017) – For the month of January 2017, MSNBC racked up the most growth for total viewers in cable news across key dayparts. MSNBC outpaced the competition in total day M-Su 6a-6a (+53% vs. CNN’s +37% and FNC’s +45%), M-F prime 8-11pm (+62% vs. CNN’s +34% and FNC’s +27%), and dayside M-F 9am-5pm (+60% vs. CNN’s +36% and FNC’s +48%).

In the key news A25-54 demographic, MSNBC’s weekday prime M-F 8-11pm was up +54%, topping CNN (+38%) and Fox News (+35%) for the month.

Among all cable networks, MSNBC ranked 6th in M-F prime 8-11pm for total viewers (up from 16th place in January 2016), beating 9th place CNN (1,432,836 vs. 1,239,580).  In the A25-54 demo, MSNBC ranked #22 among all cable networks (up from #33 in January 2016). For full day M-F 6a-2a, MSNBC ranked 10th overall in total viewers (up from #17) and #22 in the A25-54 demo (up from #37 in January 2016).

Now in its 10th year on MSNBC, “Morning Joe” continued its winning streak over CNN’s third-place “New Day” in total viewers, besting CNN for the 23rd month in a row. “Morning Joe” was up +24% in total viewers (625,000 vs. CNN’s 488,000) and +13% in A25-54 over last year, posting its best January total viewer delivery ever for any show on MSNBC during the time period.

MSNBC’s shift to breaking news in dayside (M-F 9am-5pm) last year continues to pay strong dividends as the daypart’s year over year growth in total viewers continues to soar over the competition, posting gains of +60% (vs. CNN’s +36% and FNC’s +48%). In the A25-54 demo, MSNBC dayside posted gains of +49% over January 2016.

NOTE: Data based on Nielsen Live+Same Day for the period 12/26/16-1/29/17. Individual show data represents regular programming only.

JANUARY 2017 PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS MORNING JOE (M-F 6-9am)

• “Morning Joe” continued its winning streak over CNN’s third-place “New Day” in total viewers for the 23rd month in a row.
• “Morning Joe” was up 24% in total viewers (625,000 vs. CNN’s 488,000) and +13% in A25-54 over last year.
• “Morning Joe” posted its best January total viewer delivery ever for any show during the time period.
• “Morning Joe” averaged 625,000 total viewers (ahead of CNN’s 488,000) and 143,000 viewers A25-54.

DAYSIDE (M-F 9am-5pm)

• MSNBC dayside’s year-to-year growth in total viewers continues to soar over the competition, posting gains of +60% (vs. CNN’s +36% and FNC’s +48%). 
• In the A25-54 demo, MSNBC dayside posted gains of +49% over January 2016.
• “Andrea Mitchell Reports” (M-F 12-1pm) delivered more growth than CNN and Fox News in both total viewers and A25-54 demo. “Andrea Mitchell Reports” was up +56% in total viewers (vs. CNN’s +29% and FNC’s +32%) and +41% in the demo (vs. CNN’s +36% and FNC’s +40%).
• “Andrea Mitchell Reports” averaged 625,000 total viewers and 120,000 viewers A25-54.

EARLY EVENING (M-F 5-8pm)

• “MTP Daily with Chuck Todd” was up +39% in total viewers and +42% in the demo over January 2016.
• “MTP Daily” averaged 770,000 total viewers and 143,000 viewers A25-54.
• “For the Record with Greta,” which debuted on MSNBC in January 9, 2017, far outpaced the growth of CNN and Fox News in both total viewers (+61% vs. CNN’s +34% and FNC’s +42%) and the A25-54 demo (+83% vs. CNN’s +39% and FNC’s +64%) compared to January 2016.
• “For the Record” averaged 829,000 total viewers and 181,000 viewers A25-54.
• “Hardball with Chris Matthews” topped third-ranked CNN among total viewers for the sixth straight month. 
• “Hardball” was up +29% in total viewers and +44% in the demo over January 2016.
• "Hardball" averaged 1.155 million total viewers and 236,000 viewers A25-54.

WEEKDAY PRIME (M-F 8-11pm)

• MSNBC’s weekday prime growth M-F 8-11pm outpaced CNN and Fox News in total viewers (+62% vs. CNN’s +34% and FNC’s +27%) and the A25-54 demo (+54% vs. CNN’s +38% and FNC’s +35%).
• Of all cable networks, MSNBC ranked 6th overall for M-F prime 8-11pm in total viewers for January 2017 (up from #16 in January 2016), beating 9th place CNN (1,432,836 vs. 1,239,580 viewers). 
• In the A25-54 demo, MSNBC ranked #22 (up from #33 in January 2016).
• “All In with Chris Hayes” delivered more growth than its competition in total viewers (+54% vs. CNN’s +33% and FNC’s +22%) and the A25-54 demo (+57% vs. CNN’s +42% and FNC’s +36%).
• “All In” averaged 1.267 million total viewers and 276,000 viewers A25-54.
• “The Rachel Maddow Show” extended its winning streak and ranked #2 in total viewers, beating CNN’s regular programming for the 44th straight month.
• “The Rachel Maddow Show” was up double digits and posted more growth than Fox News in both total viewers (+71% vs FNC’s +35%) and the A25-54 demo (+69% vs. FNC’s +68%) over January 2016.
• “The Rachel Maddow Show” averaged 1.814 million total viewers and 412,000 viewers A25-54.
• “The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell” again ranked #2 in total viewers, beating CNN’s regular programming for the 20th straight month.
• “The Last Word” was up +69% in total viewers and +54% in the demo compared to January 2016.
• “The Last Word” averaged 1.451 million total viewers and 296,000 viewers A25-54.

THE 11TH HOUR WITH BRIAN WILLIAMS (M-Th 11-11:30pm)

• “The 11th Hour with Brian Williams” ranked #2 in the half hour ahead of CNN among total viewers for the 6th straight month.
• “The 11th Hour” posted more growth than CNN and Fox News in total viewers (+119% vs. CNN’s +105% and FNC’s +40%) and nearly doubled that of Fox News in the demo (+77% vs. FNC’s +38%).
• “The 11th Hour” averaged 1.17 million total viewers and 248,000 viewers A25-54.

AM JOY (Sa-Su 10am-12pm)

• Saturday editions of “AM Joy” doubled the growth of its competition in total viewers (+111% vs. CNN’s +16% and FNC’s +54%). “AM Joy” also posted more growth than CNN in the A25-54 demo (+63% vs. CNN’s +45%). The Saturday edition averaged 820,000 total viewers and 176,000 viewers A25-54. 
• Sunday editions posted more growth than CNN and Fox News in both total viewers (+136% vs. CNN’s +38% and FNC’s +49%) and the A25-54 demo (+82% vs. CNN’s +68% and FNC’s +80%). The Sunday edition averaged 729,000 total viewers and 180,000 viewers A25-54.

# # #

For more information contact: 

Lorie Acio

o: 212-664-6733

e: Lorie.Acio@nbcuni.com

Errol Cockfield

o: (212) 664-3534

e: Errol.Cockfield@nbcuni.com

# # #

About MSNBC:

MSNBC is the premier destination for breaking news and in-depth analysis of the headlines through commentary and informed perspectives. Reaching more than 96 million households worldwide, MSNBC offers a full schedule of live news coverage, influential voices, and award-winning documentary programming – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. MSNBC also delivers breaking news and information across a variety of platforms including www.msnbc.com and MSNBC on Sirius XM radio. The MSNBC App for iPhone, iPad and iTouch also provide a customizable user experience with live streaming, clips of select MSNBC programming, and additional show content. Watch MSNBC anywhere: On Demand, online or across mobile and connected TVs.  MSNBC is part of the NBCUniversal News Group, a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies, which is owned by Comcast Corporation. For more corporate information, visit www.nbcuniversal.com.

 Veteran Broadcaster to Host “For the Record with Greta,” Weeknights at 6 p.m. ET on MSNBC

JANUARY 5, 2017 – Veteran broadcaster Greta Van Susteren will join MSNBC, it was announced today by Phil Griffin, President of MSNBC.

Van Susteren will host “For the Record with Greta,” which will air weeknights from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. ET. The program will debut on Monday, January 9, based in Washington, D.C. It replaces the timeslot of Bloomberg’s political television show “With All Due Respect,” which ended in early December.

“For the Record” will provide news coverage and analysis of the day’s top headlines spanning politics and beyond. The early evening broadcast will build on MSNBC’s strategic shift to a breaking news focus during the day and, along with “MTP Daily” and “Hardball,” will provide one of the key bridges to primetime. MSNBC marked its most-watched year ever in 2016, and was the fastest growing top 100 cable network in weekday prime.

“Greta is a true pro with a proven record of tough journalism,” said Griffin.  “Her broad range of experience and sharp news judgment will be of great value to MSNBC as we build on our momentum going into a new year and a new administration.”

“I’m thrilled to start my next chapter at MSNBC,” Van Susteren said. “The network is the right destination for the smart news and analysis I hope to deliver every day, and I look forward to joining the talented journalists and analysts I respect there.”

A 25-year cable news veteran, Van Susteren joins MSNBC from Fox News Channel, where she hosted “On the Record with Greta Van Susteren” for 14 years. Previously, Van Susteren spent more than a decade at CNN, where she served as a legal analyst and co-host of “Burden of Proof” and hosted the news program “The Point.” She is an experienced breaking news anchor and has traveled the world - including Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, North Korea, Sudan, and more - often with Presidents, Secretaries of State and Defense, and other leaders.

Van Susteren was part of the investigative team that won a first place National Headliner Award for the "Attack on America." Additionally, her legal analysis and contribution to the election coverage in 2000 earned her the American Bar Association’s Presidential Award for Excellence in Journalism. Prior to her career in journalism, Van Susteren was a criminal defense and civil trial attorney.

Van Susteren graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in economics, with distinction, from the University of Wisconsin. She earned a Juris Doctor and a Master of Law from Georgetown Law. She is the first Stuart Stiller Fellow at Georgetown Law Center and was awarded honorary Doctorates of Law from Georgetown and Stetson Law School. In 2016, the American News Women’s Club honored Van Susteren with the prestigious 22nd annual Excellence in Journalism award. 

Van Susteren is the co-author of My Turn at The Bully Pulpit: Straight Talk About The Things That Drive Me Nuts. She lives with her husband John P. Coale in Washington, D.C.

# # #

MEGYN KELLY JOINS NBC NEWS

Kelly to Anchor New Daytime News Program & Primetime Magazine Show

JANUARY 3, 2017 -- Megyn Kelly, one of America's most prominent news anchors, will join NBC News, it was announced today by Andrew Lack, Chairman of the NBCUniversal News Group.

Kelly will become anchor of a new one hour daytime program that she will develop closely with NBC News colleagues. The show will air Monday through Friday at a time to be announced in the coming months.

As part of the multi-year agreement, Kelly will also anchor a new Sunday evening news magazine show and will become an important contributor to NBC’s breaking news coverage as well as the network's political and special events coverage.

Details about both of Kelly's news programs will be unveiled in the coming months.

“Megyn is an exceptional journalist and news anchor, who has had an extraordinary career” Lack said. “She’s demonstrated tremendous skill and poise, and we’re lucky to have her.”

Kelly joins NBC News at a time when all four broadcasts in the division – "TODAY," "NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt," "Meet the Press," and "Dateline NBC" – are leading in the key 25-54 news demo and the coveted 18-49 demo in the 2016-17 season to date. All four shows also won those same two demos in the November sweep period, the first time that has happened since 2002.

Kelly has consistently delivered top ratings while maintaining a uniquely strong connection with her viewers and an important voice on social media. Since 2013, Kelly has anchored FOX News Channel's (FNC) The Kelly File, which she helped to create. The Kelly File is consistently the number one news program in overall viewers on cable news and first among the critical 25-54 demo audience. It is also the number two show in all of cable news. She joined FNC in 2004 as a Washington-based correspondent.

# # #

ADDITIONAL BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Kelly is known for her ability to focus on breaking stories as well as in-depth investigative reports, newsmaker interviews and human interest stories. Kelly uses her skills as a former litigator to press for answers and develop angles as events unfold. Previously at FNC, Kelly helped create and anchored her own two-hour solo afternoon program, America Live and before that, she also helped create and co-anchored America's Newsroom with Bill Hemmer. Each show became huge ratings successes for Fox News.

Throughout her tenure with FNC, Kelly has anchored breaking news and has reported live from most major national political events of the past decade. Some of the major stories she's covered include presidential and congressional elections since 2004, the Boston marathon bombings, the San Bernardino terror attack, the Fort Hood terror attack, and the Orlando nightclub attack. She provided breaking news coverage of the election of Pope Francis and the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, C.T., 2012's Superstorm Sandy, the deadly EF5 tornado in Joplin, M.O and the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Kelly has interviewed a wide range of national and international newsmakers, including both President-elect Donald Trump and President Barack Obama.

She has used her legal background to anchor wall-to-wall coverage of all Supreme Court confirmation hearings since 2004, and to advance coverage of scores of prominent national legal cases, including Supreme Court cases on Obamacare, gay marriage, gun rights and eminent domain, and the trials of Scott Peterson, Casey Anthony, Michael Jackson, Scooter Libby, Senator Tom Delay and Governor Rod Blagojevich. She reported from Blacksburg, V.A. in the immediate aftermath of the Virginia Tech campus massacre and from Durham, N.C., where she notably covered the Duke University rape case involving three of the school's lacrosse players and broke new details that would ultimately help exonerate the defendants.

During the 2016, 2014 and 2012 presidential elections and midterm elections, Kelly served as co-anchor of FNC's America's Election HQ. She has moderated multiple presidential primary debates, including most notably the first Republican primary debate in August 2015.

Before joining FNC, Kelly served as a general assignment reporter for WJLA-TV (ABC 7) in Washington, D.C. where she covered national and local stories of interest, including the 2004 presidential race and the D.C. sniper case. Prior to her career in television news, Kelly practiced law as a corporate litigator at Jones Day for seven years and was an associate in the Chicago office of Bickel & Brewer LLP for two years. In 2016, Kelly was named to Vanity Fair's New Establishment List, Hollywood Reporter's Women in Entertainment Power 100, and Adweek's The Hot List as News Anchor of the Year. She was named Mediaite's Most Influential News Anchor. In January 2016, Kelly became only the second news anchor in history to be on the cover of Vanity Fair. Kelly was listed as one of TIME magazine's 100 most influential people in the world in 2014. She is also the author of “Settle for More,” her memoir, which debuted at number one on the New York Times best seller list.

She earned her B.A. with honors in Political Science from Syracuse University and a J.D. with honors from Albany Law School, where she served as editor of the Albany Law Review.

Kelly lives in New York City with her husband Doug Brunt, a novelist, and their three children.

# # #

ABOUT NBC NEWS

More Americans watch NBC News than any news organization in the world. NBC News is a global leader in news across all broadcast and digital platforms. Its leading and award-winning television news broadcasts include NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt, TODAY, Meet the Press, and Dateline NBC, as well as primetime specials and breaking news reports. The rapidly-growing NBC News Digital Group, along with the SiriusXM TODAY Show Radio channel, provide continuous content to consumers wherever they are, whenever they want it. NBC News also operates Peacock Productions, an award-winning in-house production company, and the NBC NewsChannel affiliate news service.

NBC News is part of the NBCUniversal News Group, a division of NBCUniversal, which is owned by Comcast Corporation. For more information about NBCUniversal, please visit www.NBCUniversal.com.

# # #

For more information contact:

Mark Kornblau NBC News Group o: (212) 664-2007 e: Mark.Kornblau@nbcuni.com

Ali Zelenko NBC News o: (212) 664-6677 e: Ali.Zelenko@nbcuni.com

Erika Masonhall NBC News o: (212) 664-3230 e: erika.masonhall@nbcuni.com

MSNBC DELIVERS MOST-WATCHED YEAR EVER

MSNBC Shatters Ratings Records with Biggest Total Day and Dayside Audiences Ever

MSNBC is Fastest-Growing Top 100 Cable Network in Weekday Prime

MSNBC Posts Significantly Higher Year-Over-Year Growth than CNN or FOX News Across Multiple Key Dayparts and Demographics

“Morning Joe” and “The Rachel Maddow Show” Mark Biggest Total and Demo Audiences in Network’s 20-Year History; Both Top Third-Place CNN for Seventh Straight Year in Total Viewers

DECEMBER 28, 2016 -- MSNBC marked its most-watched year ever in 2016, hitting all-time highs in multiple dayparts including Total Day, Dayside, Morning News, Weekday Prime, as well as several key shows and demographics.

Year over year, MSNBC was the fastest-growing top 100 cable network in weekday prime with gains of +95% in total viewers and +134% in the A25-54 demo (vs. CNN: +77% in total viewers, +81% in A25-54; FOX: +31% in total viewers, +37% in A25-54). MSNBC Weekday Prime (M-F 8-11p) ranked #8 among all cable networks in total viewers and delivered its biggest demo audience since 2008.

In Total Day (M-Su 6a-6a), MSNBC delivered its biggest total viewer audience in the network’s 20-year history and best A25-54 demo audience since 2012 (excl. Olympics). MSNBC posted significantly higher year-to-year Total Day growth than either CNN or FOX News in both total viewers and the key A25-54 demo (MSNBC: +72% in total viewers, +72% in A25-54; CNN: +54% in total viewers, +56% in A25-54; FOX: +29% in total viewers, +35% in A25-54).

MSNBC Dayside (M-F 9a-5p) also posted the biggest total viewer audience in the network’s history and best demo delivery since 2008. Fueled by the strategic shift to live, breaking news, MSNBC Dayside more than doubled the competition in year-to-year growth among both total viewers and the demo (MSNBC: +88% in total viewers, +133% in A25-54; CNN: +42% in total viewers, +42% in A25-54; FOX: +20% in total viewers, +31% in A25-54).

“Morning Joe” (M-F 6-9a) delivered MSNBC’s biggest total viewer and demo audiences in the time period ever (demo: tied with 2012) and beat third-place CNN in both categories. This marks Morning Joe’s seventh straight year topping CNN in total viewers.

“The Rachel Maddow Show” (M-F 9-10p) delivered MSNBC’s biggest total viewer and demo audiences in the time period ever. “Maddow” beat third-place CNN’s regular programming among total viewers for the seventh consecutive year.

“Andrea Mitchell Reports,” “Hardball with Chris Matthews,” “The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell,” “The 11th Hour with Brian Williams,” and “AM Joy” all delivered the biggest-ever total audiences in their respective time periods.

NOTE: 2016 year-end ratings are based on Nielsen Live+Same data day for 12/28/15-12/25/16. Individual show data represents regular programming only, excluding conventions, debates, election night and breaking news.

2016 BROADCAST YEAR PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Total Day (M-Su 6a-6a)

• 2016 marked MSNBC’s biggest Total Day total viewer audience in the network’s 20-year history and best A25-54 demo average since 2012 (excl. Olympics).
• MSNBC’s year-to-year growth far outpaced the competition with gains of +72% in total viewers (vs. +54% for CNN and +29% for FOX News) and +72% in the demo (vs. +56% for CNN and +35% for FOX News) compared to 2015.

Weekday Prime (M-F 8-11p)

• MSNBC was the fastest-growing top 100 cable network in weekday prime among both total viewers and the A25-54 demo year over year. 
• MSNBC weekday prime delivered its biggest A25-54 demo audience since 2008.
• MSNBC ranked #8 out of all cable networks in total viewers.
• MSNBC posted significantly more year-to-year growth than the cable news competition, with gains of +95% in total viewers (vs. +77% for CNN and +31% for FOX News) and +134% in the demo (vs. +81% for CNN and +37% for FOX News) compared to 2015.
• MSNBC drew its biggest share of the cable news demo audience since 2013, gaining 7 share points over 2015.

Monday-Sunday Prime (M-Su 8-11p)

• MSNBC drew its biggest total viewer M-Su prime audience ever and best demo delivery since 2012.

Morning Joe (M-F 6-9a)

• “Morning Joe” beat third-place CNN in both total viewers and the demo, marking the show’s seventh consecutive total viewer win over CNN.
• “Morning Joe” delivered MSNBC’s biggest total viewer and demo audiences in the 6-9a time period ever (note: demo tied with 2012).
• “Morning Joe” averaged 677,000 total viewers (ahead of CNN’s 508,000) and 166,000 viewers A25-54 (ahead of CNN’s 159,000).

Dayside (M-F 9a-5p)

• MSNBC Dayside drew its biggest total viewer audience ever and best demo average since 2008. 
• MSNBC Dayside more than doubled the competition in year-to-year growth with gains of +88% in total viewers (vs. +42% for CNN and +20% for FOX News) and +133% in the demo (vs. +42% for CNN and +31% for FOX News) compared to 2015.
• MSNBC Dayside averaged 567,000 total viewers and 121,000 viewers A25-54. 
• “Andrea Mitchell Reports” (M-F 12-1p) delivered MSNBC’s biggest total viewer audience in the time period ever and best demo average since 2008. “AMR” averaged 558,000 total viewers and 122,000 viewers A25-54.

MTP Daily with Chuck Todd (M-F 5-6p)

• “MTP Daily” posted the 5pm hour’s biggest total viewer and demo audiences since 2012. 
• “MTP Daily” averaged 771,000 total viewers and 151,000 viewers A25-54.

“With All Due Respect” / “MSNBC Live” (M-F 6-7p)

• “WADR” and MSNBC’s live programming delivered the 6pm hour’s biggest total viewer audience since 2012 and biggest demo audience since 2013. 
• For the year, “WADR” and other 6pm programming averaged 694,000 total viewers and 146,000 viewers A25-54.

“Hardball with Chris Matthews” (M-F 7-8p)

• “Hardball” delivered MSNBC’s biggest total viewer audience in the 7pm hour ever and best demo audience since 2008.
• “Hardball” beat third-place CNN in total viewers for the 7th straight year. 
• “Hardball” averaged 1.079 million total viewers (ahead of CNN’s 948,000) and 221,000 viewers A25-54.

“All In with Chris Hayes” (M-F 8-9p)

• “All In” delivered the 8pm hour’s biggest total viewer audience since 2009 and best demo audience since 2010.
• “All In” averaged 1.089 million total viewers and 251,000 viewers A25-54.

“The Rachel Maddow Show” (M-F 9-10p)

• “The Rachel Maddow Show” delivered MSNBC’s biggest total viewer and demo audiences in the 9pm hour ever.
• “The Rachel Maddow Show” beat third-place CNN in both total viewers (7th straight year) and the demo. 
• “The Rachel Maddow Show” averaged 1.444 million total viewers (ahead of CNN’s 1.036) and 339,000 viewers A25-54 (ahead of CNN’s 327,000).

“The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell” (M-Th 10-11p)

• “The Last Word” delivered MSNBC’s biggest total viewer audience in the 10pm hour ever and best demo average since 2012.
• “The Last Word” beat third-place CNN for the seventh consecutive year. 
• “The Last Word” averaged 1.252 million total viewers (ahead of CNN’s 940,000) and 277,000 viewers A25-54.

“The 11th Hour with Brian Williams” (M-Th 11-11:30p)

• “The 11th Hour,” which launched September 6, 2016, beat third-place CNN in total viewers.
• “The 11th Hour” delivered MSNBC’s biggest total viewer audience in the time period ever. 
• To date, "The 11th Hour" is averaging 1.181 million total viewers (ahead of CNN's 945,000) and 276,000 viewers A25-54.
• For the year, “The 11th Hour” and other 11pm programming averaged 876,000 total viewers (ahead of CNN’s 849,000) and 218,000 viewers A25-54.

AM Joy (Sa-Su 10a-12p)

• “AM Joy,” which launched May 7, 2016, delivered MSNBC’s biggest total viewer audience in the time period ever. 
• Saturday editions of “AM Joy” delivered the best demo average since 2008; Sunday editions delivered the best demo average since 2003. 
• For the year, Saturday editions of “AM Joy” and other 10a-12p programming averaged 631,000 total viewers and 144,000 viewers A25-54. Sunday editions of “AM Joy” and other 10a-12p programming averaged 509,000 total viewers and 131,000 viewers A25-54.

# # #

MSNBC’S “MORNING JOE” RANKED #3 IN GOOGLE’S 2016 YEAR IN SEARCH TOP TRENDING TV NEWS SHOWS

Relive the Top-Performing Moments on “Morning Joe” From 2016

MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” (weekdays, 6-9amET) is ranked number three on Google’s 2016 Year in Search Top Trending TV News Shows. The annual list showcases the people, topics, events and news that captured the world’s attention this year. Google’s Year in Search uses data from multiple sources, including Google Trends, and explores trending topics from more than 70 countries.

“Morning Joe,” hosted by Joe Scarborough, Mika Brzezinski and Willie Geist, provides dynamic discussions and in-depth analysis of the day's biggest stories.  The show attracts a wide variety of top newsmakers, journalists, and cultural influencers, featuring engaging conversation about political news and various issues.

According to Nielsen, 2016 marks the seventh straight year that “Morning Joe” has topped CNN in total viewers.  In the key news demo, "Morning Joe" delivered six straight quarters of ratings growth (2Q15 to 4Q16), the longest streak for MSNBC in the time period, and beat CNN from 1Q to 3Q in 2016 – the first three quarterly wins in a row since 3Q13 to 1Q14.

Watch the top-performing “Morning Joe” segments from 2016 on MSNBC.com below, and follow @Morning_Joe on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Michael Moore joins wide-ranging election talk

11/11/16

Clinton: Donald Trump has shown us who he is

8/26/16

Gary Johnson asks: What is Aleppo?

9/8/16

Joe: Election results a 'complete earthquake'

11/9/16

Filmmaker Reiner has serious words for Trump

5/5/16

###

MATTHEWS:  Well, "Hidden Figures" is out in select theaters at Christmastime, in fact, Christmas Day and a wider release following on January 6. Well, I'm joined right now by those people who made this movie come to life, including the stars of the film. Taraji P.  Henson is right there.  She's the superstar. Octavia Spencer, I've been in love with her for a long time. Janelle Monae, thank you.  There you are. And you all look very glamorous right now. In the movie, you're dressed like bureaucrats, which is very interesting. Kevin -- the great Kevin Costner. And, of course, singer/songwriter Pharrell Williams, who composed the sound track for the movie and the score, as well. And director Ted Melfi.  I love "St.  Vincent."

TED MELFI, DIRECTOR:  Thank you.

MATTHEWS:  With Bill Murray. I want to talk to you, Taraji, because you were the -- you just dominate that movie.  I had to say that and... (CROSSTALK)

MATTHEWS:  -- and the scenes of putting up with Jim Crow and putting up with Jim Crow in a federal institution. But what grabbed me in the beginning was the cop who stopped you guys in your '57.  I love '57 Impala Chevvies.  We all did.  We always love them. Stops you in your car.  And all -- and after he's got the usual color mentality going on, a black/white thing going on, white/black.  And all of a sudden he realizes that you're in the space program.  And his patriotism kicks in.

TARAJI P.  HENSON, ACTOR:  Yes. MATTHEWS:  Tell me about it.

HENSON:  Well, I think that's the overall message of this story.  When we put our differences aside as humans, that's when we're able to move the human race forward, because at the end of the day, we're all humans. You know, a mind doesn't have a color, you know?

MATTHEWS:  Yes.

HENSON:  When it comes to calculating numbers, I don't care what color you are.  I don't care who you sleep with at night. Can you -- can you find the math?

MATTHEWS:  I love the -- the -- the score when this person that Taraji is playing is a very smart woman, like everybody, has to go to the bathroom.  And everybody knows the experience of having to go to the bathroom now.  But you were on an airplane or wherever you are. And then she has the color bar.  She's got to go to a -- and it's like a bad dream.  I've got to go to the Dill Building, where there's a colored woman's bathroom. And you've got this great music. Tell me about the music you put in there.

PHARRELL WILLIAMS, SINGER/SONGWRITER:  Man, the music was largely just led by...

MATTHEWS:  It's called "Running."

WILLIAMS:  Yes, sir.  That song was -- was just based on the story.  It's like when we got the script, it was like OK, these women are living in the matrix of the 1960s, where the physics and the gravity for African-Americans was much more heavier.  And it was twice as heavier on a woman. So having to run to the bathroom, which is not on the other side of the building, but the on -- on the other side of the campus -- and there were campus bikes.  But for women, we -- we forget, as men, you know, long skirts, long dresses. So they had to run, rain or shine...

MATTHEWS:  Yes.

WILLIAMS:  -- 30 to 45 minutes round trip to the other side of the campus just to use the bathroom.

MATTHEWS:  So Ted and the other ladies here -- high heels are a big part of this for some reason.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE:   Yes.

MATTHEWS:  I -- I -- maybe it's the -- your photography, but it -- you -- the women look great, of course, but you're always shooting the legs, shooting at the shoes.  And the shoes, at one point, get caught and you almost get killed in this -- it's in the middle of a wind... (CROSSTALK)

MATTHEWS:  -- a wind tunnel.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE:   Well, yes.

MATTHEWS:  So now you're in a wind tunnel.  You look great, by the way, in the wind tunnel.  Your legs get caught in this... (CROSSTALK)

MATTHEWS:  -- so everybody is looking at your legs, looking at the shoes.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE:   Yes.

MATTHEWS:  And -- and you get stuck and the guy says the shoe ain't worth it. (LAUGHTER)

MATTHEWS:  I mean this...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE:   Yes.

MATTHEWS:  -- and then there's the other scene when the -- when you're running to the bathroom, it's all high heels in the -- so women in high heels being African-American in a Jim Crow setting and wearing high heels.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE:   Yes, we did it all. (LAUGHTER)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE:   Just like we continuously do every day.  What's so -- so inspiring about this film and these women is that they did not allow those obstacles to deter them. What's so -- so inspiring about this film and these women is they -- they did not allow those obstacles to deter them and stop them from their dreams.  Yes, you know, we were dealing with -- with racism.  We were dealing with sexism.  We were dealing with classism. But the great thing about when NASA and all the men and women put all those isms to bed and buried them all, that's when they achieved the extraordinary together. They all realized that at the end of the day, we all breath the same color.

MATTHEWS:  You know, Kevin, it's so great to have you on, because I think of you all the time in a movie I've seen.  And I'll see this a lot of times, but I think I've seen "Thirteen Days" 100 times. And you played -- right in the middle of the Cuban missile crisis, a white world, as if there wasn't a black world there. And here you have a movie that's pretty much the same time period.

KEVIN COSTNER, DIRECTOR:  Yes.

MATTHEWS:  '61, '62.  In fact it is '62.

COSTNER:  Yes.

MATTHEWS:  Or... (CROSSTALK)

MATTHEWS:  -- this movie includes the reality of American life much better.

COSTNER:  Yes, well, you know, it seems like a lot of stories don't get told.  They are in the pages of history.  They don't -- they don't come out.  And you can give some of that a pass because how many stories can you possibly tell? If you look beneath the surface, you'll find this story. The thing that I found was that if you are going to tell the original story of John Glenn, all right, not -- not able the women who were working off to the side, like we know in (INAUDIBLE), but if you're going to tell that story of John Glenn, there's a moment where he was going to go or wasn't going to go.  So it would be like telling a joke and maybe leaving out the punch line. There was a moment where he was going to go or not go, and it hung on the balance of a -- of a young woman who was going to have to do the math by hand. Now, I don't know about you, but in great storytelling, you don't leave out that bit.

MATTHEWS:  Yes.

COSTNER:  So if we don't learn about these human computers -- they were called computers -- I can see that story emerging going hmmm, I would have liked to have known about that a long time ago. But not knowing about that seminal moment...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE:   Yes.

COSTNER:  -- where he was saying I ain't going unless I know, that should have been a part of what we knew about for a long time. MATTHEWS:  He was a good guy in the movie, right, Octavia?

OCTAVIA SPENCER, ACTOR:  He was a good guy period, I mean, but I learned something about him that I didn't know.  And it made him that much more of an American hero to me, because he did something that was unpopular at the time.  He put his life in the hands of this African-American woman.

MATTHEWS:  Yes.

SPENCER:  If her numbers didn't match up, he wasn't going to go.  If her numbers matched up, of course he went.

MATTHEWS:  He wanted to know where he was going to land.

SPENCER:  Absolutely.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE:   Exactly. (CROSSTALK)

MATTHEWS:  That's key information if you're in this thing and they've got to get to it with the ship, you know.  And the -- but you were in "The Help."

SPENCER:  I was in "The Help."

MATTHEWS:  In that movie, I'll always remember that meal you cooked up for that white lady. (LAUGHTER)

MATTHEWS:  (INAUDIBLE) going to remember that (INAUDIBLE).  Oh, this tastes interesting. (LAUGHTER)

MATTHEWS:  And so you've gotten at it from a -- the Jim Crow thing a couple of ways now.

SPENCER:  Yes, well Jim Crow is a very difficult time to immerse yourself in.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE:   Right.

SPENCER:  But when you're doing a period film, we have agency as -- as contemporary women that African-American women did not have in -- in the Jim Crow era.  So there's something wonderful to be said about the solidarity that we felt on the set.  Very insulated.  Ted created a safe place for us to work and have fun.

MATTHEWS:  I like the way, Taraji, you looked up at that sign as you go out of the room, which says "colored computers." It's still up there.  They actually designated you by your ethnicity. Let's take a look at another part of the movie.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE:  Katherine, go find your way over there.  That Colonel Jim is a tall glass of water.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE:   There he is, tall, strong, commanding.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE:   Oh, and I'll bet he's like the day and night.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE:  Mary, it's so (INAUDIBLE).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE:  (INAUDIBLE).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE:  (INAUDIBLE).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE:   He's coming over.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE:   Now why would he be doing that?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE:   Because Mary's waving at him. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE:   No.  Ladies, I must leave.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE:  Sonalea (ph), fix your hair (INAUDIBLE).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE:   Hello, Colonel. I'm Dorothy Vaughn. That's Mary Jackson. I believe you met her (INAUDIBLE).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE:   Yes, ma'am.  (INAUDIBLE).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE:   And this is Katherine (INAUDIBLE).  She's not married.  She's a widow with three beautiful little girls, so well behaved, angels on Earth is what we like to call them. Dorothy. A slice of pie?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE:  I love working.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE:   Excuse me. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE:   You already have a slice of pie?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MATTHEWS:  So it's so great you're doing this.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE:   Yes.

MATTHEWS:  OK, I'm so glad you took this project.  I'm so glad you took this project, everybody took it, because Hollywood needs it. Let's talk. This is not a reaction to Hollywood's...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE:   Yes, we...

MATTHEWS:  -- it's not a redo?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE:   Yes.  No, we had...

MATTHEWS:  But it's something.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE:   Yes.  We need these this story.  We and we need our little girls to see this story when it -- when it -- we need the little boys to see this story.  We need to know -- we need people to know that history wasn't a bunch of white guys in a room.

MATTHEWS:  Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE:   The history of NASA was very diverse.  NASA celebrates these women.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE:   Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE:   Thesewomen are not hidden from NASA.  NASA has been honoring these women for a long time.  So it's great to tell the general public that.

MATTHEWS:  Well, guys, thank you all.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE:   Thank you.

MATTHEWS:  It's an honor to meet you all.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE:   Thank you.

MATTHEWS:  And Kevin and everybody here, and Pharrell.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE:   Thanks for having us.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE:   Thank you.

MATTHEWS:  The music gets to even me.

WILLIAMS:  Thank you. MATTHEWS:  Mr. Straight Arrow.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE:   And we get to keep our cups?

MATTHEWS:  You can keep the mugs.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE:  OK. MATTHEWS:  We're going to get you hats.  This is a great opportunity, because I think this is, as I said, politics and culture are together. (CROSSTALK)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE:   By the way... MATTHEWS:  They are the same thing, this collection, whatever you think of it, culture and politics are together.  We've got to put it all together.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE:   Yes. MATTHEWS:  Merry Christmas to everybody.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE:   Thanks. UNIDENTIFIED MALE:  Happy New Year.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE:   Thank you so much.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE:  Merry Christmas to you. (CROSSTALK)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE:  I was just going to say, you're not Mr. Straight Arrow.  We've been watching you for years.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE:   Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE:   Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE:   Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE:   And your interviews and the way that you keep people straight is amazing.  And when people veer off and they don't answer the question, there's no one that slices through it better than you. (CROSSTALK)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE:   That's why they call it HARDBALL.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE:   Thanks.

MATTHEWS:  Well, thank you. (CROSSTALK)

MATTHEWS:  I didn't have it.  That's not in the script. (LAUGHTER)

MATTHEWS:  We'll be right back. Thank you.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE:   Thank you.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE:   Thank you.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE:   Thank you. MATTHEWS:  We'll be right back. END

MSNBC Also Delivers Higher Year-to-Year Total Day Growth than CNN in Key News Demo “Morning Joe” Continues Total Viewer Win Over Third-Place CNN for 21st Straight Month

MSNBC Dayside Growth Continues to Far Outpace the Competition

MSNBC Beats CNN Among Total Viewers at 7pm, 9pm, 10pm, and 11pm

NOVEMBER 30, 2016 -- During the critical election month of November 2016, MSNBC posted greater year-to-year total audience growth than both CNN and FOX News. MSNBC’s total day viewership (M-Su 6a-6a) was up +84% among total viewers compared to November 2015 (vs. +76% for CNN and +60% for FOX News). MSNBC also grew by higher rates than CNN among the demo most valued by news advertisers, posting total day gains of +105% among viewers A25-54 (vs. CNN’s +102%).

Since making a strategic shift to live breaking news, MSNBC dayside (M-F 9am-5pm) continues to grow by significantly higher rates than any other cable news network. MSNBC dayside posted year-to-year gains of +94% in total viewers (vs. +69% for CNN and +48% for FOX News) and +145% in the demo (vs. +107% for CNN and +103% for FOX News) compared to November 2015.

“Morning Joe” extended its winning streak over CNN’s third-place “New Day,” marking the 21st straight month ahead of CNN in total viewers.

“Hardball with Chris Matthews,” “The Rachel Maddow Show,” “The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell,” and “The 11th Hour with Brian Williams” each drew more total viewers than CNN’s competing programs.

Among all cable networks in November, MSNBC was the #5 ranked network in total viewers and #10 ranked network in the 25-54 demo for weekday primetime (M-F 8-11p).

NOTE: November 2016 ratings are based on Nielsen Live+Same data day for 10/31-11/27/16. Individual show data represents regular programming only, excluding election night and breaking news.

NOVEMBER 2016 PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

MORNING JOE (M-F 6-9am)

• “Morning Joe” topped CNN’s “New Day” among total viewers for the 21st straight month. 
• “Morning Joe” posted year-to-year growth of +57% among total viewers and +86% in the demo (vs. +80% for FOX).
• “Morning Joe” averaged 824,000 total viewers (ahead of CNN’s 715,000) and 206,000 viewers A25-54.

DAYSIDE (M-F 9am-5pm)

• MSNBC dayside’s year-to-year growth continues to far outpace the competition with gains of +94% in total viewers (vs. +69% for CNN and +48% for FOX News) and +145% in the demo (vs. +107% for CNN and +103% for FOX News).
• MSNBC dayside averaged 707,000 total viewers and 162,000 viewers A25-54. 
• “Andrea Mitchell Reports” (M-F 12-1 p.m.) delivered the time period’s biggest demo audience since November 2012. “AMR” averaged 734,000 total viewers and 174,000 viewers A25-54.

EARLY EVENING (M-F 5-8pm)

• “MTP Daily with Chuck Todd” averaged 1.003 million total viewers and 218,000 viewers A25-54. “MTP Daily” posted year-to-year gains of +96% in total viewers (vs. +76% for CNN and +40% for FOX News) and +241% in the demo (vs. +108% for CNN and +94% for FOX News).
• “With All Due Respect,” which debuted on MSNBC in January 2016, averaged 802,000 total viewers and 179,000 viewers A25-54. “WADR” posted year-to-year gains of +63% in total viewers (vs. +37% for CNN and +36% for FOX News) and +129% in the demo (vs. +48% for CNN and +72% for FOX News).
• “Hardball with Chris Matthews” topped third-ranked CNN among total viewers for the fourth straight month. “Hardball” delivered 1.271 million total viewers (ahead of CNN’s 1.182 million) and 276,000 viewers A25-54.

WEEKDAY PRIME (M-F 8-11pm)

• Of all cable networks, MSNBC weekday prime ranked #5 among total viewers and #10 in the A25-54 demo. 
• Compared to November 2015, MSNBC prime grew by +103% among total viewers (vs. +63% for FOX News) and +162% in the A25-54 demo (vs. +115% for FOX News). 
• MSNBC prime averaged 1.644 million total viewers and 440,000 viewers A25-54.
• “All In with Chris Hayes” delivered higher year-to-year growth than the competition, posting gains of +88% in total viewers (vs. +65% for CNN and +28% for FOX News) and +136% in the demo (vs. +68% for CNN and +59% for FOX News). 
• “All In” averaged 1.353 million total viewers and 323,000 viewers A25-54.
• “The Rachel Maddow Show” again ranked #2 in total viewers, beating CNN’s regular programming for the 42nd straight month.
• “The Rachel Maddow Show” averaged 1.793 million total viewers (ahead of CNN’s 1.348 million) and 427,000 viewers A25-54.
• “The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell” again ranked #2 in total viewers, beating CNN’s regular programming for the 18th straight month.
• “The Last Word” averaged 1.506 million total viewers (ahead of CNN’s 1.249 million) and 344,000 viewers A25-54.

THE 11TH HOUR WITH BRIAN WILLIAMS (M-Th 11-11:30pm)

• “The 11th Hour with Brian Williams,” which debuted on September 6, ranked #2 ahead of CNN among total viewers for the third straight month.
• “The 11th Hour” averaged 1.238 million total viewers (ahead of CNN’s 1.095 million) and 308,000 viewers A25-54.
• “The 11th Hour” is posting significantly higher year-to-year growth than its competitors, up +185% in total viewers (vs. +98% for CNN and +60% for FOX News) and +205% in the demo (vs. +76% for CNN and +83% for FOX News).

AM JOY (Sa-Su 10am-12pm)

• “AM Joy” is also far outpacing the competition in year-to-year growth for the time period. Saturday editions grew by +140% among total viewers (vs. 18% for CNN and +53% for FOX News) and +144% in the demo (vs. +47% for CNN and +112% for FOX News) compared to November 2015. Sunday editions grew by +159% in total viewers (vs. +54% for CNN and +62% for FOX News) and +146% in the demo (vs. +73% for CNN and +133% for FOX News).
• Saturday editions averaged 779,000 total viewers and 183,000 viewers A25-54. Sunday editions averaged 625,000 total viewers and 150,000 viewers A25-54.

# # #

“SPLIT SECOND DECISION” PREMIERES SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12  

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – Featuring true stories of people faced with life-altering decisions and mere seconds to make a choice, “Split Second Decision” brings viewers through each harrowing step of a crisis and challenges them to make life or death judgments in real time. Narrated by NBC’s Jeff Rossen, “Split Second Decision” is the second series presented via the MSNBC ORIGINALS banner and debuts on Saturday, November 12^th at 9 PM ET on MSNBC.

In the first episode of “Split Second Decision” viewers are asked to decide what they would do when confronted with impossible-to-imagine scenarios such as: escaping a capsized ferry boat in the middle of the sea; staring down an armed intruder; desperately trying to avoid a swerving, impaired driver; navigating surging floodwaters; surviving a wild forest fire or the sudden explosion of batteries. Expert assessment of each possible outcome lets the audience know if they’ve made the right ‘split second decision.’

A clip for viewing/sharing/review is available here:  https://vimeo.com/189788379 Password: MSNBC

Episode 1 of “Split Second Decision” airs on November 12; episode 2 on November 19 and episode 3 on November 26.

MSNBC ORIGINALS  features stories that spark conversation and shape culture. Airing on Saturdays (9-10 PM ET), MSNBC ORIGINALS will delve into narratives pulled from the headlines, as well as those found under the radar, which have an echoing effect on the world and American culture today.Follow MSNBC ORIGINALS on Twitter and Instagram at @MSNBCOriginals and on Facebook at facebook.com/MSNBCOriginals

The series is produced by MSNBC and Gurin Co. For MSNBC, the show is executive produced by Jessica Winchell Morsa and helmed by Vice President of MSNBC Originals Michael Rubin and Vice President of Development Lauren Frasca. MSNBC ORIGINALS is the home for documentary programming on MSNBC. Through commissioned series and specials, MSNBC ORIGINALS connects viewers to stories that spark conversation, shape culture, entertain and inform.  Content can be found on the linear channel as well MSNBC.com on demand and on the NBC News apps for iOS and Android.

The Gurin Company is a multiple Emmy and award-winning company responsible for creating, producing and developing thousands of hours of television across multiple genres including live event, game, music, hidden camera, comedy, stunt, clip shows, factual, dramatic re-enactment, docu-soaps and formatted reality.  Their shows have aired on every major U.S. broadcast network, many cable networks, and in over 150 countries around the world.

### 

MSNBC SURGES TO ALL-TIME HIGHS IN OCTOBER 2016; BEATS CNN IN WEEKDAY PRIME FOR THIRD STRAIGHT MONTH

MSNBC Delivers Biggest Audiences Ever in Weekday Prime and Total Day During Final Month Before Election “Morning Joe” Continues Across-the-Board Wins Over CNN, Again Posts Best Morning Ratings in MSNBC’s 20 Year History

MSNBC Beats CNN in Weekday Prime Among Total Viewers for Third Straight Month

MSNBC Delivers All-Time Highs and Beats CNN Among Total Viewers at 7pm, 9pm, 10pm, and 11pm

MSNBC Dayside Growth Continues to Far Outpace the Competition

NOVEMBER 1, 2016 -- MSNBC beat CNN among weekday prime total viewers during the final month before election day. In October 2016, MSNBC drew its biggest audiences ever in both weekday prime (M-F 8-11pm) and total day (M-Su 6am-6am), and far outpaced the competition in year-to-year growth across key dayparts and demos. MSNBC also drew its biggest total day and weekday prime audiences among the A25-54 demo since the last presidential election (since November 2012). October 2016 marks the third straight month that MSNBC has beat third-ranked CNN in weekday prime among total viewers. MSNBC prime’s year-to-year growth is more than double that of CNN and FOX News in both total viewers (+161% vs. CNN’s +69% and FNC’s +56% and the A25-54 demo (+253% vs. CNN’s +107% and FNC’s +101%) compared to October 2015. MSNBC was the third most-watched network in all of cable weekday prime in total viewers for the month, behind only FOX News and ESPN. “Morning Joe” extended its winning streak over CNN’s third-place “New Day,” marking the 20th straight month ahead of CNN in total viewers and third straight advantage in the demo. “Morning Joe’s” momentum continues to build as October marked the 6-9am time period’s biggest total viewer audience in MSNBC’s 20-year history.

Four more MSNBC programs each beat CNN among total viewers and simultaneously delivered their time periods’ largest total audiences ever: “Hardball with Chris Matthews” at 7pm, “The Rachel Maddow Show” at 9pm, “The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell” at 10pm, and “The 11th Hour with Brian Williams” at 11pm. At 8pm, “All In with Chris Hayes” delivered the show's best total viewer average ever and the best in the time period since Nov. 2008. MSNBC dayside (M-F 9am-5pm) posted the closest total viewer percentage gap with CNN since February 2014, and drew the daypart’s biggest total viewer audience since April 2003 and best demo audience in four years (since Nov. 2012). Since making a strategic shift to breaking news, MSNBC dayside has steadily grown by significantly higher rates than any other cable news network and has steadily closed the percentage gap with CNN among total viewers for seven consecutive months.

On the weekends, “AM Joy” (Sa-Su 10am-12pm) delivered the time period’s biggest total viewer audiences since April 2003 and biggest demo audiences since Sep. 2008 (Sat.) and Sep. 2005 (Sun). NOTE: October 2016 ratings are based on Nielsen Live+Same data day for 9/26/16 -10/30/16. Individual show data represents regular programming only, excluding the debates. OCTOBER 2016 PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS MORNING JOE (M-F 6-9am)

• “Morning Joe” again topped CNN’s “New Day” among both total viewers and the demo. This marks the 20th straight monthly win over CNN in total viewers and the third straight win in the demo.
• “Morning Joe” delivered the biggest total viewer audience in the 6-9am time period in MSNBC’s history. “Morning Joe” also posted its highest demo average in four years (since Nov. 12).
• “Morning Joe” posted higher year-to-year growth than the competition, up +90% among total viewers (vs. +86% for CNN and +39% for FOX) and up +122% in the demo (vs. +112% for CNN and +29% for FOX).
• “Morning Joe” averaged 882,000 total viewers (ahead of CNN’s 652,000) and 222,000 viewers A25-54 (ahead of CNN’s 212,000).

DAYSIDE (M-F 9am-5pm)

• MSNBC dayside delivered the closest total viewer gap with CNN since February 2014. October marks the seventh straight month that MSNBC has closed the gap with CNN among total viewers. 
• MSNBC dayside’s year-to-year growth continues to soar over the competition, posting gains of +113% in total viewers (vs. +75% for CNN and +18% for FOX) and +185% in the key demo (vs. +115% for CNN and +37% for FOX).
• October 2016 marks MSNBC dayside’s biggest total viewer audience since April 2003 and best demo average since Nov. 2012.
• MSNBC dayside averaged 798,000 total viewers and 171,000 viewers A25-54. 
• “Andrea Mitchell Reports” delivered the 12pm hour’s biggest total viewer audience ever and best demo average since Nov. 2012. “Andrea Mitchell Reports” is up +140% in total viewers (vs. +77% for CNN and +18% for FOX) and +234% in the demo (vs. +122% for CNN and +35% for FOX). 

EARLY EVENING (M-F 5-8pm)

• “MTP Daily with Chuck Todd,” which launched in September 2015, posted the 5pm time period’s best total viewer average since Nov. 2012 and best demo average since January 2013. 
• “MTP Daily” averaged 1.099 million total viewers and 226,000 viewers A25-54. 
• “With All Due Respect,” which debuted on MSNBC in January 2016, delivered the 6pm time period’s highest total viewer and demo averages since Nov. 2012.
• “WADR” averaged 1.053 million total viewers and 234,000 viewers A25-54.
• “Hardball with Chris Matthews” topped third-ranked CNN among total viewers for the third straight month. October 2016 marks “Hardball’s” biggest total viewer audience ever and best demo average since Nov. 2012.
• “Hardball” delivered 1.495 million total viewers (ahead of CNN’s 1.288 million) and 318,000 viewers A25-54. 

WEEKDAY PRIME (M-F 8-11pm)

• MSNBC beat CNN in weekday prime among total viewers for the third straight month. 
• MSNBC prime delivered its biggest total viewer audience in the network’s 20 year history and best A25-54 demo delivery since Nov. 2012.
• Of all cable networks, MSNBC prime ranked #3 behind only FOX News and ESPN. 
• Compared to October 2015, MSNBC prime’s growth is more than double that of CNN and FOX News in both total viewers (+161% vs. CNN’s +69% and FNC’s +56%) and the A25-54 demo (+253% vs. CNN’s +107% and FNC’s +101%). 
• MSNBC prime averaged 2.036 million total viewers (ahead of CNN’s 1.990 million) and 509,000 viewers A25-54.
• “All In with Chris Hayes” delivered the show's biggest total viewer audience ever and the biggest in the time period since Nov. 2008, as well as the biggest demo audience since Nov. 2012.
• “All In” averaged 1.557 million total viewers and 369,000 viewers A25-54.
• “The Rachel Maddow Show” again ranked #2 in total viewers, beating CNN’s regular programming for the 41st straight month.
• “The Rachel Maddow Show” delivered its biggest total viewer audience and cable news share ever and biggest demo audience since Nov. 2012.
• “The Rachel Maddow Show” averaged 2.097 million total viewers (ahead of CNN’s 1.529 million) and 507,000 viewers A25-54.
• “The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell” again ranked #2 in total viewers, beating CNN’s regular programming for the 17th straight month.
• “The Last Word” delivered its best total viewer average ever and best demo average since Nov. 2012.
• “The Last Word” averaged 1.837 million total viewers (ahead of CNN’s 1.308 million) and 406,000 viewers A25-54.

THE 11TH HOUR WITH BRIAN WILLIAMS (M-Th 11-11:30pm)

• “The 11th Hour with Brian Williams,” which debuted on September 6, ranked #2 ahead of CNN among total viewers and delivered the time period’s biggest total audience ever.
• “The 11th Hour” averaged 1.488 million total viewers (ahead of CNN’s 1.167 million) and 354,000 viewers A25-54.

AM JOY (Sa-Su 10am-12pm)

• Saturday editions of “AM Joy” averaged 1.058 million total viewers and 248,000 viewers A25-54, marking the time period’s best total viewer average since April 2003 and best demo average since Nov. 2008.
• Sunday editions averaged 840,000 total viewers and 230,000 viewers A25-54, marking the time period’s best total viewer average since April 2003 and best demo average since Sep. 2005.

NBC NEWS AND MSNBC TOGETHER BEAT ALL OTHER NETWORKS FOR FINAL PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE WITH NEARLY 16 MILLION TOTAL VIEWERS

NBC News Ranks #1 Across the Board in Post-Debate Analysis

Primetime Coverage on NBC Outperforms All Other Networks In Key Demos A25-54 and A18-49

NEW YORK (October 20, 2016) – More Americans tuned to NBC News and MSNBC combined for coverage of the third and final 2016 presidential debate than any other broadcast or cable television network. According to Nielsen Media Research fast national data, the two networks drew a combined total of 15.9 million viewers. Additionally, the broadcast network led across the board in post-debate analysis.

The NBC News broadcast network coverage (9-10:36 pm ET) averaged 10.4 million total viewers, outperforming CBS by 273,000 (+3%). Among A25-54 viewers, NBC News averaged 4.5 million viewers, leading ABC by 107,000 (+2%) and CBS by 769,000  (+21%). In A18-49, NBC averaged 4.1 million, topping ABC by 176,000 (+5%) and CBS by 934,000 (+30%).

In post-debate analysis, NBC averaged 8.273 million total viewers, outperforming ABC by 45,000 (+1%) and CBS by 885,000 (+12%). Lester Holt, Savannah Guthrie, and Chuck Todd anchored NBC News’ primetime coverage live from the debate hall in Las Vegas, joined by Tom Brokaw, and others.

MSNBC’s coverage of the debate (9-10:45pm ET) averaged 5.5 million total viewers, 1.8 million A25-54 viewers and 1.5 million A18-49 viewers. This marks MSNBC’s second-largest debate audience ever and highest-rated debate in the key A25-54 demo for the 2016 election cycle. MSNBC’s demo audience grew from the first to second to third debate, while CNN declined from the second debate.

Rachel Maddow and Brian Williams anchored MSNBC’s coverage, joined by Chris Matthews and the full team of NBC News and MSNBC correspondents and contributors.

OCTOBER 19, 2016

Broadcast Specials: 9-10:36 p.m. ET

Total Viewers A25-54 Rating A25-54 Viewers A18-49 Rating A18-49 Viewers

NBC 10.393 3.72 4.472 3.19 4.095

CBS 10.120 3.08 3.703 2.46 3.161

ABC 10.962 3.63 4.365 3.05 3.918

Broadcast Specials: 10:37-11 p.m. ET

Total Viewers A25-54 Rating A25-54 Viewers A18-49 Rating A18-49 Viewers

NBC 8.273 2.94 3.534 2.47 3.170

CBS 7.387 2.24 2.693 1.77 2.277

ABC 8.227 2.76 3.313 2.27 2.912

Cable Primetime: 9-10:45 p.m. ET

Total Viewers A25-54 Rating A25-54 Viewers A18-49 Rating A18-49 Viewers

MSNBC 5.507 1.49 1.792 1.19 1.525

CNN 8.677 2.87 3.447 2.67 3.423

Fox News 11.257 2.89 3.468 2.32 2.980

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ABOUT NBC NEWS AND MSNBC

More Americans watch NBC News and MSNBC than any news organization in the world. NBC News is a global leader in news across all broadcast and digital platforms. Its leading and award-winning television news broadcasts include NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt, TODAY, Meet the Press, and Dateline, as well as primetime specials and breaking news reports. For the 2015-2016 season, all four NBC News broadcasts were #1 in the key news demo. MSNBC is the premier cable destination for breaking and live news coverage, in-depth analysis, and influential voices – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The rapidly-growing NBC News Digital Group, along with the SiriusXM TODAY Show and MSNBC radio channels and NBC News Radio on the iHeartMedia 24/7 News Network, provide continuous content to consumers wherever they are, whenever they want it.

NBC News is part of the NBCUniversal News Group, a division of NBCUniversal, which is owned by Comcast Corporation.  For more information about NBCUniversal, please visit www.NBCUniversal.com.

Below is an internal memo from NBC News President Deborah Turness and MSNBC President Phil Griffin to staff. 

We are very pleased to announce that William Bratton, Executive Chairman of Teneo Risk and former New York City Police Commissioner, returns to NBC News and MSNBC as Senior Law Enforcement and National Security Analyst, starting this week. Bill’s singular expertise and incisive analysis on counterterrorism and criminal justice will be an incredible asset across all of our platforms, as you’ve already seen with his recent contributions following the bombings in New York and New Jersey.

As the Executive Chairman of Teneo Risk, Bill advises clients on cyber risk, counterterrorism preparedness and crisis response. Up until last month, Bratton served as New York City’s Police Commissioner for the second time, leading the largest police force in the country. Over the course of his 46-year career in law enforcement, Bratton has also served as the Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department—making him the only person ever to lead the police agencies of America’s two largest cities—as well as Commissioner of the Boston Police Department.

Beyond his career in public service, Bill was an analyst for NBC News and MSNBC in 2013 before he returned to the NYPD in 2014. The return of Bill Bratton brings a very relevant voice of authority to NBC News and MSNBC as we continue to cover counterterrorism and national security. Unfortunately this is an area of coverage that we have had to devote more resources to in recent years, and we know our audiences will benefit greatly from his deep knowledge and peerless experience.

Please join us in welcoming back Bill to NBC News and MSNBC.

Deborah & Phil

Below is an internal memo from MSNBC President Phil Griffin to staff. 

Team,

I’m pleased to announce Ali Velshi joins MSNBC beginning tomorrow. 

Ali brings a unique mix of experience and perspective on both domestic and international issues.  He was most recently a primetime anchor at Al Jazeera America and previously had a long career with CNN as an anchor and chief business correspondent. 

Ali made a name for himself covering tragic events in Pakistan and Turkey, the debt crisis in Greece, and the impact of devastating hurricanes here at home.  He has earned a first-rate reputation as a business expert through his reporting on the 2008 financial crisis, the U.S. government’s bailout plan, the automobile industry, and the debt ceiling and budget debates. 

Ali’s sharp economic analysis will be a valuable asset to MSNBC as we dig deeper into every angle of the news and build on our ratings momentum in all dayparts. He will join our strong bench of talented journalists and report to Janelle Rodriguez.

Please join me in giving Ali a warm welcome to MSNBC.

Phil