In a striking shift in the cable news landscape, Fox News has solidified its dominance in 2025, posting significant viewership gains in the first quarter and March, while rivals CNN and MSNBC grappled with notable declines compared to the previous year. The numbers paint a clear picture: Fox News is resonating with audiences, particularly in primetime and the coveted – demographic, as its competitors struggle to maintain their footing.
In the first quarter of 2025, Fox News averaged 3.01 million total viewers in primetime, a robust 46% increase from the same period in 2024. MSNBC, by contrast, saw its primetime viewership plummet to 1.02 million, down 18%, while CNN averaged just 558,000 viewers, a 6% drop. The 25-54 demographic, a key metric for advertisers, told a similar story: Fox News soared with 380,000 viewers, up 63%, while CNN held steady at 121,000, down 1%, and MSNBC fell to 96,000, also down 18% according to Deadline.
The trend continued in total day viewership. Fox News averaged 1.92 million viewers, up 48%, while MSNBC dropped to 593,000, down 27%, and CNN posted 428,000, down 8%. In the 25-54 demo, Fox News averaged 247,000, up 58%, compared to CNN’s 79,000, down 7%, and MSNBC’s 57,000, down 30%.
March 2025 further underscored Fox News’ momentum. The network averaged 3.13 million primetime viewers, up 47%, while MSNBC recorded 1.18 million, down 10%, and CNN managed 591,000, down 2%. In the 25-54 demo, Fox News hit 394,000, up 60%, compared to CNN’s 121,000, down 2%, and MSNBC’s 109,000, down 18%. Total day figures for March showed Fox News at 1.87 million viewers, up 43%, against MSNBC’s 629,000, down 24%, and CNN’s 432,000, down 6%. The 25-54 demo saw Fox News at 239,000, up 51%, while CNN and MSNBC lagged at 78,000, down 7%, and 60,000, down 29%, respectively.
Fox News’ programming also shone brightly. The Five led as the top show in total viewers, averaging 4.55 million in the first quarter and 4.3 million in March. Jesse Watters Primetime dominated the 25-54 demo, averaging 507,000 in the first quarter and 485,000 in March. Fox News touted the quarter as its highest-rated ever among weekday viewers in cable news history.
While CNN and MSNBC faced year-over-year declines, both networks reported gains following Donald Trump’s inauguration in 2025, after a post-election viewership dip. MSNBC noted a 96% surge in weekday primetime viewership and a 118% jump in the 25-54 demo compared to the post-election period. CNN reported a 7% primetime viewership increase in March compared to February, with a 5% uptick across weekdays.
Despite these gains, Fox News’ commanding lead in 2025 highlights its ability to capture and retain a broad audience, leaving CNN and MSNBC scrambling to regain lost ground in an increasingly competitive media environment.
Please follow us on Facebook and X for more news, tips, and reviews. Need cord cutting tech support? Join our Cord Cutting Tech Support Facebook Group for help. You can find Luke on X HERE.