The 2024 presidential election is over and has significantly reshaped the landscape of cable news viewership. Fox News Channel (FNC) has emerged as the clear winner, commanding the largest share of the cable news audience ever recorded with 62% of total day viewers. On Election Night and during Harris’s concession speech, FNC was the most-watched network, further solidifying its position as the leading cable news network.
Fox News not only maintained but grew its viewership, with a 16% increase in total viewers and a 33% jump in the Adults 25-54 demographic in primetime compared to October 2024. When looking at year-over-year figures against November 2023, FNC saw an 84% increase in total viewers and a 139% surge in the demo during primetime. Total day viewership also rose by 65% in total viewers and 97% in the demo. This performance has positioned Fox News as the number one cable network in both total viewers and the second in the key demographic during primetime and total day.
Conversely, both MSNBC and CNN experienced a notable exodus of viewers following the election. MSNBC saw a 22% drop in primetime total viewers month-over-month, although it managed a slight 1% increase in the A25-54 demo. Total day viewership for MSNBC also declined by 20% in total viewers and 6% in the demo. Year-to-year, MSNBC’s figures were mixed, with a 5% decrease in total viewers but a significant 48% increase in the demo during primetime. Total day numbers showed a 7% decrease in total viewers but a 12% increase in the demo, according to a report from Adweek.
CNN’s performance was also down, with a 13% reduction in total viewers and a 12% increase in the demo during primetime from October. Total day saw a 9% decrease in total viewers but an 8% increase in the demo. Year-over-year, CNN was up by 34% in total viewers and 61% in the demo for primetime, indicating some resilience or recovery from previous lows. However, the network still ranked fifth in total viewers for both primetime and total day and fourth and third in the demo, respectively.
Programming highlights included Fox News’ “The Five” leading in viewership, while MSNBC’s “Decision 2024” was its top show post-election. CNN’s “Election Night in America” was its peak performer, though none of its regular programming entered the top 15 in total viewers.
The election outcome appears to have had a direct impact on viewer preferences, with Fox News capitalizing on Trump’s win, while MSNBC and CNN struggled to retain their audience. Notably, MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” experienced significant viewership losses after its hosts met with Trump, contrary to their previous strong performance.
This shift in viewership underscores a broader trend where political outcomes directly influence media consumption patterns, with viewers gravitating towards networks perceived to align with their political views.