As of July 6, 2025, Fox News continues to lead in cable news viewership, a trend firmly established throughout 2024. Nielsen Media Research indicates Fox News averaged 1.5 million primetime viewers, significantly outpacing CNN (638,000) and MSNBC (857,000).
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Key Programs and Viewership
- The Five: Averaged 3.2 million total viewers, securing the top spot.
- Jesse Watters Primetime: Attracted 2.7 million viewers.
- Hannity: Maintained a strong audience with 2.6 million viewers.
Performance in the 25-54 Demo
Fox News also excelled in the coveted 25-54 demographic. In primetime, Fox News averaged 262,000 viewers (up 32% year-over-year). CNN averaged 76,000 (down 21%), and MSNBC 73,000 (down 34%). For the total day, Fox News averaged 180,000 viewers (up 22%), while CNN averaged 59,000 (down 27%) and MSNBC 49,000 (down 41%).
Context of the 2024 Election Year
2024, a presidential election year, was expected to boost viewership for major cable news networks. Donald Trump’s continued presence significantly influenced Fox News’ ratings.
Other Networks
While Fox News dominated, other networks also experienced changes. NewsNation, for example, saw a 15% increase in primetime total viewers, reaching 113,000.
MSNBC’s New Lineup and its Impact
The past year saw MSNBC introduce a revamped nighttime lineup, featuring “The Weeknight” at 7 p.m. ET. Rachel Maddow returned for a weekly show at 9 p.m. ET, while Jen Psaki filled the same time slot from Tuesday to Thursday. The long-term effects of this new strategy on MSNBC’s overall ratings remain to be seen, but initial data suggests a need for further adjustment to compete with Fox News’ established dominance.
Fox News’ Absence from Top Broadcast Audiences
Despite its cable news supremacy, Fox News struggled to penetrate the broader broadcast audience landscape. The network had no shows in the top 20 most-viewed programs of the 2024-2025 season and only three within the top 100. This highlights the difference between cable news viewership and the broader appeal of network television, where CBS continues to thrive with an average of 9 million viewers.
Dominance Despite Controversy
Despite facing negative commentary and criticisms, Fox News maintained its ratings lead, demonstrating the network’s resilience and strong appeal to its core audience. The network’s success in 2024 reinforces its position as the leading cable news channel, a title it has consistently held for many years. The ability to withstand external pressures and maintain viewer loyalty speaks volumes about the network’s brand recognition and its ability to cater to a specific segment of the population.
Looking Ahead to 2025
As we move further into 2025, the battle for cable news viewership continues. It will be interesting to observe how CNN and MSNBC adjust their strategies to gain ground on Fox News, particularly in the key demographic of 25-54 year olds. The political climate, evolving media consumption habits, and the emergence of new players in the news landscape will all contribute to the ongoing competition for viewers’ attention.
