CNBC viewers hit lowest point since April 2005

May was CNBC’s lowest-rated month in total viewers since April 2005, reports Jeff Reeves of InvestorPlace.com.

Reeves writes, “Meanwhile, in case you’re wondering, the S&P 500 is up 37% since 2005 and more than 16% year-to-date.

“And lest you think Fox Business Network was sucking up all those lost viewers, even FBN saw declines year-over-year in many time slots.

“Here are the Nielsen comparisons for this May:

• 6 to 9:15 a.m.: CNBC ratings rolled back 13% overall and 31% in the 25-54 age group, comparing May 2012 to May 2013. Fox Business Network was down 19% overall and 12% in the key demographic.
• 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.: CNBC dropped 15% overall and 7% in the younger demo. FBN saw a nearly 20% drop in overall ratings, according to Nielsen, but held steady in the younger demo.
• 5 to 8 p.m.: CNBC ratings dropped 25% overall but actually posted a gain of almost 11% in the key demographic group. FBN slumped about 33% in overall ratings and a painful 59% in the 25 to 54 age group.
• 8 to 11 p.m.: CNBC ratings plummeted 32% overall and 34% in the 25 to 54 age demo. FBN saw the younger demo roll back but actually saw significant gains in this timeslot with a 42% surge overall.

“So in a nutshell, aside from Fox’s boom in prime time, there isn’t much good news in these ratings. Investors are tuning out across the board — with some of CNBC’s lost viewers over the last seven years gone forever.”

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