The cable news landscape is undergoing a dramatic shift, with Fox News continuing its reign as the undisputed leader, while CNN and MSNBC grapple with dwindling viewership. According to recent Adweek data, CNN’s primetime ratings have plummeted to historic lows, dipping below 500,000 total viewers and under 100,000 in the coveted Adults 25-54 demographic. MSNBC, while faring better, secured a distant second place, trailing Fox News significantly in both total viewers and the demo. The numbers paint a stark picture of a struggling industry where Fox News remains a juggernaut, even on an off-night.
Fox News, despite seeing its primetime numbers dip below 3 million total viewers to 2.898 million and into the low 300,000s (313,000) in the 25-54 demo, still outperformed its competitors by a wide margin. Programs like Jesse Watters Primetime (3.268 million viewers, 371,000 in demo), The Five (3.927 million viewers, 403,000 in demo), and Gutfeld! (2.970 million viewers, 316,000 in demo) led the charge, showcasing Fox’s ability to draw massive audiences even during a quieter news cycle. In total day viewership, Fox averaged 1.735 million viewers and 213,000 in the demo, reinforcing its dominance across all time slots.
CNN, meanwhile, faced a grim milestone as its primetime lineup averaged just 486,000 total viewers and a mere 87,000 in the 25-54 demo. Shows like Anderson Cooper 360 (535,000 viewers, 93,000 in demo), The Source with Kaitlan Collins (464,000 viewers, 76,000 in demo), and CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip (459,000 viewers, 90,000 in demo) struggled to attract audiences, with CNN’s total day numbers languishing at 379,000 viewers and 61,000 in the demo. The network’s decline has sparked concern about its relevance in an increasingly competitive media environment, with some critics pointing to a lack of compelling content and an overreliance on polarized panels as factors driving viewers away. This all comes as CNN plans to launch a streaming service this year.
Update: CNN reached out to say their numbers overall for the 1st quarter were up 1%, as MSNBC’s primetime numbers dropped 20% in the very important 25 to 54 age bracket.
MSNBC, while not as dire, also faced challenges, finishing second with 1.533 million primetime viewers and 129,000 in the 25-54 demo. The Rachel Maddow Show was a standout, pulling in 2.079 million viewers and 169,000 in the demo, but other programs like All In with Chris Hayes (1.098 million viewers, 123,000 in demo) and The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell (1.423 million viewers, 95,000 in demo) lagged behind Fox’s heavy hitters. MSNBC’s total day viewership stood at 742,000 and 65,000 in the demo, reflecting a significant gap between it and Fox News.
The stark contrast in ratings comes amid broader industry trends. Fox News has capitalized on a post-election surge, with viewership up significantly year-over-year, driven by high-profile coverage and a loyal audience. CNN and MSNBC, however, have seen sharp declines since the 2024 election. Industry analysts suggest that CNN’s pivot to new programming, such as Kasie Hunt’s 4 p.m. show, and MSNBC’s lineup changes have yet to resonate with audiences, while Fox’s consistent messaging and star power continue to dominate.
As cable news viewership becomes increasingly fragmented, Fox News’s ability to maintain its grip on both total viewers and the advertiser-coveted demo underscores its unique position. For CNN and MSNBC, the path forward remains uncertain, with both networks facing the challenge of reinventing themselves to recapture a dwindling audience in a rapidly evolving media landscape.
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