Cable news ratings in 2025: Who’s up and who’s down
The non-election year didn’t help CNN and MS NOW (formerly MSNBC), as the two networks experienced double-digit year-to-year declines in total viewers and the Adults 25-54 demo during primetime and total day, reports TVNewser.
On the other hand, continues TVNewser, Fox News posted a stronger 2025 performance with total viewer gains during primetime and total day compared to the previous year. Fox News also experienced declines in the advertiser-prized demo; however, those declines were in the single digits.
“Among the biggest stories, President Donald Trump, in the first year of his second term, generated the most news throughout the calendar year.”
TVNewser stated the following: “According to Nielsen big data + panel for 2025, FNC averaged 2.652 million total viewers and 278,000 A25-54 viewers during primetime. The network was up +11% in total viewers but regressed by -5% in the A25-54 demo relative to the year prior (2024*).
“”Fox News averaged 1.691 million total viewers and 180,000 A25-54 viewers in total day viewing. Based on its average in those measurements versus the prior year, it was up +16% in total viewers but down -3% in the demo.
“Among all basic cable networks, Fox News finished in first place in total primetime viewers and third place in the demo. In total day, it remained the leader in total viewers and finished No. 2 in the total day demo for 2025.”
