MSNBC Tops CNN in Key Viewer Demographic Ratings

NEW YORK — MSNBC has edged out CNN in the competitive landscape of cable news ratings, securing the No. 2 position among adults ages 25 to 54 during both primetime and total day slots. The Nielsen ratings reflect ongoing shifts in viewer preferences, particularly among younger adult demographics.

According to the latest data from Nielsen, Fox News Channel (FNC) dominated both time periods, achieving a total day average of 299,000 viewers in the 25-54 age group, compared to CNN’s 83,000 and MSNBC’s 90,000. In the primetime slot, FNC reported 489,000 viewers in the target demographic, while CNN managed 116,000 and MSNBC climbed to 161,000.

“Our content resonates with viewers, especially during critical news cycles, which reflects in our ratings,” said MSNBC’s spokesperson. The network’s strong performance can be attributed to programs such as “The Rachel Maddow Show,” which consistently draws large audiences in the 25-54 age group.

On the other hand, CNN’s ratings were notably boosted by “Erin Burnett OutFront,” which ranked as the channel’s most-watched program among the demographic. Despite this, CNN continues to struggle in comparison to its competitors.

FNC’s highly-rated program, “The Five,” remains the top show across all networks in the 25-54 demographic, solidifying Fox News’ lead in attracting younger viewers. This trend emphasizes a growing interest in opinion-driven content prevalent on FNC.

Mark Mwachiro, a contributor for TVNewser and previously a writer for Adweek since March 2022, noted the significance of these ratings for network strategy. “These numbers are critical for networks as they work to align their programming with viewer expectations in a highly competitive environment,” he said.

The grappling for ratings among the cable news giants underscores the ever-changing preferences of viewers and the responsibilities of networks to adapt to those trends. As MSNBC secures its position, CNN faces pressure to find new strategies to reclaim its standing in the ratings war.