Ratings: ‘Forensic Files’ Reruns Crush MSNBC, Tie CNN In Demo

Although “Forensic Files” has been in reruns for nearly five years, a three-hour HLN block of the true-crime documentary series Thursday evening crushed MSNBC, and pretty much tied CNN in the all-important 25-54 viewing demo.

At 5pm, “Forensic Files” drew 106,000 demo viewers, compared to 121,000 for CNN’s Wolf Blitzer and a humiliating 54,000 for MSNBC’s Ed Schultz.

Fox News crushed them all. “The Five” drew 350,000 demo viewers.

At 6pm, “Forensic Files” drew 124,000 demo viewers, compared to just 98,000 for the second hour of Blitzer and 79,000 for MSNBC’s Al Sharpton.

Fox News’s Bret Baier beat all three combined with 387,000.

At 7pm, “Forensic Files” drew 136,000 demo viewers, compared to 146,000 for CNN’s Erin Burnett and 126,000 for MSNBC’s Chris Matthews.

Fox News’s Great Van Susteren crushed all comers with 332,000.

Although HLN broadcast “Forensic Files,” CNN’s sister station should have stuck with what was working. HLN lost 13,000 demo viewers the following hour when HLN’s Nancy Grace pulled only 123,000.

In total viewers, both left-wing cable news networks more than doubled “Forensic Files.”

MSNBC is literally dying and has absolutely no idea what to do about it. Tonight CNN will forgo news with a primetime game show.

P.S. This post is in no way meant to belittle “Forensic Files,” which is one of the best shows on television. 

John Nolte on Twitter @NolteNC