MSNBC looks for '12 gains

GriffinMSNBC is searching to determine election-year ratings gains in 2012, while not as large from the leap since the cabler needed in 2008. MSNBC prexy Phil Griffin was careful about projecting viewership growth since the presidential race will get warmer. ''We couldn't possibly have forty percent growth'' the cabler saw in 2008, Griffin mentioned through the cabler's sesh Saturday within the TCA press tour in Pasadena. Still, ''we're depending on that it's a large year,'' he added. The 2008 race marked MSNBC's breakout year after its transformation with a liberal choice to Fox News, plus it prospered round the competish among Dems to be successful George W. Rose rose bush inside the White-colored House. This time around around around, Griffin mentioned he's been surprised up to now within the more moderate response from audiences to political coverage within the cable news spectrum. ''Nobody blew it out'' the other day with coverage of Tuesday's Iowa caucuses, adding he ''expected a bigger evening from Fox News.'' MSNBC used its TCA time to give a large push towards the ''Morning Joe'' ayemcast. Griffin suggested the show's growth and recognition because of its focus on in-depth interviews and measured tone, when compared with other cable politico skeins. '' 'Morning Joe' grew to become one in the great brands in cable,'' Griffin excited. Contact Cynthia Littleton at cynthia.littleton@variety.com