In a stunning shift in cable news dynamics, Fox News has solidified its dominance, outpacing the combined viewership of CNN and MSNBC in both primetime and total day metrics, according to a recent report from Adweek. The data, covering the week of May 13, 2025, underscores Fox News’ commanding lead in the competitive cable news landscape, reflecting significant gains in both total viewers and the coveted Adults 25-54 demographic (A25-54), while its rivals experienced sharp declines. When you add both MSNBC and CNN primetime numbers combined they have less than half the viewership numbers of Fox News.
During primetime, Fox News averaged 2,499,000 total viewers, dwarfing MSNBC’s 811,000 and CNN’s 405,000. Combined, CNN and MSNBC drew 1,216,000 viewers—less than half of Fox News’ audience. In the A25-54 demographic, Fox News attracted 282,000 viewers, compared to MSNBC’s 67,000 and CNN’s 74,000, again surpassing their combined total of 141,000. For total day viewership, Fox News maintained its lead with 1,591,000 total viewers against MSNBC’s 532,000 and CNN’s 341,000, a combined 873,000 for the latter two. In the A25-54 demo for total day, Fox News secured 184,000 viewers, while MSNBC and CNN trailed with 47,000 and 58,000, respectively, totaling 105,000 combined.
Year-over-year comparisons highlight Fox News’ remarkable growth. Compared to the same period in 2024, Fox News saw a 26% increase in primetime total viewers and a 52% surge in the A25-54 demo. For total day, the network grew by 23% in total viewers and 32% in the demo. Meanwhile, MSNBC faced steep declines, dropping 29% in primetime total viewers and 40% in the A25-54 demo, with total day losses of 36% and 44%, respectively. CNN also struggled, with primetime viewership down 16% in total viewers and 11% in the demo, alongside total day declines of 28% and 29%, respectively.
Industry analysts attribute Fox News’ dominance to its ability to resonate with a broad audience through its coverage of polarizing political and cultural issues, particularly in a year marked by heightened national discourse. The network’s primetime lineup, including shows like Hannity and The Ingraham Angle, has consistently drawn strong audiences, while competitors have struggled to retain viewers amid shifting media consumption habits.
The Adweek report signals a challenging period for CNN and MSNBC, whose combined viewership now lags significantly behind Fox News. As the cable news landscape evolves, Fox News’ sustained growth in both total viewers and the key demographic suggests it remains the go-to source for a substantial portion of the American audience, while its rivals face an uphill battle to regain lost ground.
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