In 2025, MSNBC has experienced a significant downturn in viewership, marking a challenging period for the network as it struggles to retain its audience. Data from the first quarter of 2025 and the month of March reveal substantial declines in both total viewers and the key 25-54 demographic compared to the same periods in 2024, despite a post-inauguration bump following the 2024 election.
In the first quarter of 2025, MSNBC averaged 1.02 million total viewers in primetime, an 18% drop from the previous year. The network’s performance in the 25-54 demographic was equally troubling, with an average of 96,000 viewers, also down 18%. Total day viewership painted a bleaker picture, with MSNBC averaging 593,000 viewers, a 27% decline, and just 57,000 in the 25-54 demo, reflecting a 30% drop. These figures underscore a consistent erosion of MSNBC’s audience across key metrics pery Deadline.
March 2025 showed some improvement but still highlighted ongoing struggles. Primetime viewership reached 1.18 million, a 10% decline from March 2024, while the 25-54 demo averaged 109,000 viewers, down 18%. In total day metrics, MSNBC posted 629,000 viewers, a 24% decrease, and 60,000 in the 25-54 demo, down 29%. These numbers indicate that while the network managed to slightly narrow its primetime losses in March, the broader trend of audience attrition persisted.
Despite these declines, MSNBC reported a significant rebound in viewership following Donald Trump’s inauguration in January 2025. The network noted a 96% surge in weekday primetime viewership and a 118% increase in the 25-54 demographic compared to the post-election period in late 2024. This spike suggests that major political events continue to drive temporary engagement, but the network has struggled to sustain this momentum. The post-inauguration gains, while notable, have not been sufficient to offset the year-over-year losses, as audiences appear to be drifting away from MSNBC’s programming.
The network’s challenges come amid a shifting media landscape, where viewers are increasingly fragmented across platforms. MSNBC’s programming, known for its progressive commentary and in-depth political analysis, has faced difficulties resonating with a broader audience in 2025. The absence of a single standout show further complicates the network’s efforts to compete, as no MSNBC program has matched the viewership levels of top cable news competitors.
As MSNBC navigates this downturn, its leadership faces the task of re-engaging viewers in a highly competitive environment. The network’s ability to capitalize on political moments, like the inauguration, offers a glimmer of hope, but reversing the broader decline will require strategic adjustments to programming and outreach to recapture its audience in 2025.
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