MSNBC searches for '12 gains

GriffinMSNBC is looking to see election-year rankings gains in 2012, although not as large of the leap because the cabler required in 2008. MSNBC prexy Phil Griffin was careful about projecting viewership growth because the presidential race gets hotter. ''We could not possibly have 40 % growth'' the cabler saw in 2008, Griffin stated throughout the cabler's sesh Saturday in the TCA press tour in Pasadena. Still, ''we're relying on that it is a large year,'' he added. The 2008 race marked MSNBC's breakout year after its transformation to some liberal option to Fox News, also it flourished around the competish among Dems to achieve success George W. Rose bush within the Whitened House. This time around around, Griffin stated he's been surprised to date in the more moderate response from audiences to political coverage over the cable news spectrum. ''Nobody blew it out'' a week ago with coverage of Tuesday's Iowa caucuses, adding he ''expected a larger evening from Fox News.'' MSNBC used its TCA time for you to provide a large push to the ''Morning Joe'' ayemcast. Griffin recommended the show's growth and recognition due to its concentrate on in-depth interviews and measured tone, in comparison with other cable politico skeins. '' 'Morning Joe' became one from the great brands in cable,'' Griffin excited. Contact Cynthia Littleton at cynthia.littleton@variety.com