Viewership increases for MSNBC in 2006

2006 marked a decline in the cable news audience -- except on MSNBC.

Powered by personalities such as Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews, the perennially third-place cable news network was the only one of its ilk to expand its audience last year, averaging 262,000 viewers throughout the day, up 7% over 2005. MSNBC grew even more in the key 25- to 54-year-old demographic, rising by 11% to an average of 110,000.

Industry leader Fox News held onto its crown, but saw its ratings for the year drop by 15% to an average of 821,000 viewers throughout the day. CNN fell 8%, drawing an average of 476,000 viewers, and its sister network Headline News dropped 7% to 217,000 viewers.

-- Matea Gold