Last week, Breitbart News reported that CNN’s newly resurrected Crossfire political debate show debuted to so-so ratings. However, by the time its first week was over, those so-so ratings slipped even below that of the show it replaced.
Upon its debut, Crossfire, hosted by Newt Gingrich and Stephanie Cutter, was second on cable in the crucial 25-54 viewer demographic, but by Friday it had slipped seven percentage points under the show it replaced, The Situation Room. Worse, by the end of its debut week, Crossfire had lost 14 percent in total viewers compared to the show it replaced.
By Friday, Crossfire had lost 47 percent of its total viewers and 40 percent in the key demo.
As the week progressed, each night dropped double digits in both total viewers and the important 25-54 demographic.
For the first week, the show averaged 309,000 viewers and 103,000 adults 25-54. On its Monday debut, however, the retooled Crossfire earned 581,000 total viewers, of which 171,000 viewers were in the key demo.
On the other hand, both Fox News and MSNBC saw a gain in viewership during the same hour last week. Special Report With Bret Baier was the winner far and away with an average of 2.136 million total viewers and 368,000 in the 25-54 age demo.
The original Crossfire was canceled in 2005 after a 23-year run, done in by low ratings and growing criticism that the show coarsened the political debate with its bare-knuckle style.
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