Fox News Surges While CNN and MSNBC Continue Ratings Freefall

The aftermath of the 2024 presidential election has dealt a significant blow to the ratings of left-leaning cable news networks CNN and MSNBC, with both experiencing substantial declines in viewership.

Meanwhile, Fox News, known for its appeal to conservative audiences, has seen its ratings rise, solidifying its dominance in the cable news space.

According to data from Nielsen, CNN’s prime-time viewership between election night and December 13 averaged 405,000 viewers, a 45% drop compared to pre-election numbers.

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MSNBC fared even worse, averaging 620,000 viewers in the same period, a 54% decline.

These numbers reflect a stark shift in audience loyalty following an election in which former President Donald Trump not only secured a victory but did so by a significant margin.

Many viewers of CNN and MSNBC reportedly felt betrayed after being assured by these networks that Trump’s chances of winning were slim.

In contrast, Fox News has seen a 13% increase in viewership during the same post-election period, with an average of 2.68 million viewers in prime time.

Post-election prime-time cable ratings:

MSNBC 54%
CNN 45%
FOX News 15%

Nearly three out of four viewers of cable news are watching FOX. pic.twitter.com/jQ1uFJZG5d

— Tom Bevan (@TomBevanRCP) December 26, 2024

According to Nielsen, 72% of evening viewers tuning into one of the three major cable news networks were watching Fox News, compared to 53% before Election Day.

The Associated Press reported that the changes in viewership are particularly stark:

“After election night through Dec. 13, the prime-time viewership of MSNBC was an average of 620,000, down 54% from the pre-election audience this year, the Nielsen company said. For the same time comparison, CNN’s average of 405,000 viewers was down 45%. At Fox News Channel, a favorite news network for Trump fans, the post-election average of 2.68 million viewers is up 13%, Nielsen said.”

The significant decline at MSNBC is steeper than the drop it experienced after the 2016 election, raising questions about whether viewers who oppose Trump will remain as engaged during his second term.

Additionally, both CNN and MSNBC face broader challenges as more people cut the cord on traditional cable subscriptions.

MSNBC executives have claimed they are bucking the trend of declining cable news audiences, but the numbers suggest otherwise.

Joy Reid, a prominent host on MSNBC, is reportedly facing a potential pay cut to remain on air amidst the network’s financial struggles.

NEW: Far-left MSNBC host Joy Reid will have to take a pay cut if she wants to stay in her role at the network, according to The Ankler.

The news comes after Rachel Maddow was also reportedly forced to take a $5M pay cut.

Reid and Maddow aren’t the only anchors impacted. Host… pic.twitter.com/6Om3ekAOti

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) December 19, 2024

CNN, which has faced a series of challenges over the past several years, appears to be slipping into what some analysts describe as the “danger zone,” with its ratings struggling to recover.

Despite facing criticism from some conservatives in recent years, Fox News has managed to grow its audience.

This growth comes at a time when cable news as a whole is grappling with changing viewer habits and increased competition from streaming platforms and digital media.

The steep declines at CNN and MSNBC highlight the challenges these networks face in retaining their audiences post-election.

With their viewership numbers continuing to fall, questions remain about their ability to survive in an increasingly competitive media landscape.

For now, Fox News remains the clear leader among cable news networks, solidifying its position as the preferred choice for millions of Americans seeking political coverage.

Meanwhile, the future looks uncertain for its competitors, who are grappling with both declining ratings and a shrinking cable TV audience.

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