MSNBC And CNN Get Beaten In Ratings By A Surprising Entertainment Channel [WATCH]

The Hallmark Channel has seen a remarkable surge in ratings, surpassing MSNBC and CNN during the peak holiday season, according to recent Nielsen data.

Soooo apparently CNN and MSNBC ratings are so bad, they were beaten by the Hallmark channel last week… It’s so over for them… pic.twitter.com/yrYeVKoujL

— I Will Not Comply (@YouknowTheguy3) November 24, 2024

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Known for its festive films and feel-good programming, Hallmark has steadily climbed the ranks since launching its Christmas movie lineup on October 18.

During the week of November 18 to 24, Hallmark averaged 526,000 viewers at any given time, securing its place as the third most-watched cable channel.

The network trailed only behind Fox News and ESPN. In comparison, MSNBC garnered 458,000 viewers during the same period, while CNN lagged behind with just 314,000 viewers.

This surge in popularity marks a significant shift, especially considering that Hallmark was ranked as the seventh most popular total-day cable channel during the week of its holiday lineup’s debut.

At that time, it averaged 387,000 viewers, a solid figure but far from the impressive numbers the network has seen since the start of its holiday season.

The first weekend of Hallmark’s new Christmas movies made the network the No. 1 entertainment cable channel among women aged 18 and older.

It outperformed other networks like HGTV, Investigation Discovery, and TLC, proving that its mix of romance, family-friendly content, and holiday magic continues to strike a chord with viewers.

This rise in Hallmark’s viewership comes at a time when traditional news channels like MSNBC and CNN are struggling with declining ratings, particularly following the presidential election.

Both networks have seen sharp drops in their audience numbers. MSNBC, for example, experienced a nearly 50% drop in total viewership post-Election Day.

The ratings on CNN and MSNBC are so low that the Hallmark Channel just beat them.

pic.twitter.com/gdgmh5bfyd

— Wall Street Mav (@WallStreetMav) November 24, 2024

Star anchor Rachel Maddow, who once dominated the network’s ratings, saw a 41% decrease in viewers, particularly within the key 25-54 demographic.

As MSNBC grapples with falling ratings, sources say the network is preparing for a significant overhaul.

These changes are expected to include shifts in programming, altered roles for high-profile anchors, and, notably, a substantial pay cut for Maddow.

The anchor, who once commanded an annual salary of $30 million, has reportedly re-signed her contract for a reduced $25 million salary over the next five years.

The Ankler reported that her contract was quietly renewed this fall under terms that reflect the network’s current financial challenges.

“This is a difficult time, and they needed to keep her,” an executive commented to The Ankler. “No one else can do what she does. You can’t build a brand like it overnight.” Another executive referred to Maddow as “ratings Viagra,” underscoring the network’s reliance on her to maintain viewership.

Bill O’Reilly explains why NBC is dumping MSNBC and ABC will be dumping The View next.

Rachel Maddow has already taken a $5 million pay cut on MSNBC.

Expect to see much more defunding of the activist shows.pic.twitter.com/EnVId29puR

— Paul A. Szypula (@Bubblebathgirl) November 22, 2024

Similarly, CNN has faced significant challenges since the 2016 election, with primetime viewership dropping from 13.3 million to around 800,000.

The network has also dealt with leadership turmoil, notably the departure of former president Chris Licht.

Licht’s exit followed a profile piece in The Atlantic, which painted him as out of touch with CNN staff and struggling to manage the network effectively.

This critique sparked internal backlash and was a major factor in his dismissal in June.

As Hallmark thrives with its holiday lineup, traditional news channels like MSNBC and CNN face an uphill battle to regain viewership.

The success of Hallmark underscores the appeal of family-friendly, feel-good programming, particularly during the festive season, while the decline in ratings for MSNBC and CNN highlights the challenges faced by liberal-leaning news networks in the post-election landscape.

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