CNN, which has faced challenges with its ratings, is currently experiencing a notable increase in viewership due to its comprehensive coverage of the Nancy Guthrie abduction case.
Throughout this week, the network has attracted over a million viewers at various times, a significant rise from its typical primetime average of 553,000 and 433,000 during the daytime.
The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the elderly mother of Today show star Savannah Guthrie, has captivated audiences, prompting CNN to maintain continuous coverage as authorities persist in their search efforts. Nancy, 84, was abducted in the early hours of February 1.
Prominent CNN figures such as Jake Tapper, Erin Burnett, and Kaitlan Collins have been at the forefront of this coverage. Notably, Tapper has been reporting live from Nancy’s residence in Tucson, Arizona.
Additionally, Erin Burnett and TMZ founder Harvey Levin have contributed to discussions on the case. TMZ has been a key player, having received several emails from individuals either claiming to be the kidnapper or possessing knowledge about the abduction.
Burnett and Harvey Levin, the founder of TMZ, have also appeared on-screen to discuss the case. TMZ received a series of emails over the course of the case from people either claiming to be the kidnapper or know who is responsible.
The initial note had demanded millions in Bitcoin for the senior’s safe return – a prospect that has Americans invested.
FBI investigators this week released doorbell images showing ‘an armed individual’ outside Nancy’s front door the morning of her disappearance – a development stars like Collins and Anderson Cooper have relentlessly covered.
Stars like Jake Tapper, Erin Burnett, and Kaitlan Collins have spearheaded CNN’s coverage of the ongoing Nancy Guthrie case, achieving a spike in viewers
Nancy, 84, has been missing since January 31, after being taken from her home in Tucson, Arizon. She is the mother of Today star Savannah Guthrie, seen with here mom in 2021
The spike in cable-watchers comes at an opportune time, as CNN continues to hemorrhage viewers
The channel – which launched in 1980 – has shed nearly two-thirds of its primetime viewers over the past decade and almost half of its viewers during daytime, according to Nielsen.
The drops have fueled rumors of a possible network sale. Warner Bros, Discovery, the network’s up-for-sale parent company, has denied whispers of a sale.
Ratings for NBC’s ‘Today’ show, meanwhile, have also jumped, as its anchors silently grapple with the crisis.
As for CNN, the network’s website still attracts 120 million monthly users.
The storied news network faces an uncertain future amid plans to sell Warner Bros, Discovery to Netflix.
Bosses at the streaming giant have no desire to buy CNN or any other cable channels, meaning they’ll be cast off into a separate company if the deal goes through.
Paramount – the owner of CBS – has placed a bid as well. The company ramped up a hostile takeover bid for Warner this week in hopes of preventing the Netflix transaction.
As for the Guthrie case, it continues to transfix the US.
On-air talents like Anderson Cooper have reported on developments in the disturbing case
Tapper was on the ground in Arizona this week to report on the unfolding case. Cops have yet to identify any suspects
On Tuesday, Pima County Sheriff’s Department detained a man for questioning in connection with Nancy’s disappearance several miles directly south of Tucson, near the border.
The man was released on Wednesday after several hours of being interviewed. He was not deemed a suspect.
The search for Nancy entered day 13 on Friday. Officials said they have not identified any suspects.
