Despite being a newsy month, October did not deliver a standout news moment that drew large audiences to cable news networks.
MSNBC was the only network to record gains in primetime across total viewers and the Adults 25-54 demo during the month.
The network marked its first month as an independent network, separated from the NBCUniversal News Group, and, at the same time, marked the final full month of its 35-year history as MSNBC.
Moving forward under the MS NOW moniker, the network was a bright spot during the total day part, as it was the only network not to lose viewers in the demo, but it joined Fox News and CNN in shedding total viewers.
Fox News
According to Nielsen big data + panel, Fox News in October had 2.334 million total viewers in primetime and 228,000 viewers in the Adults 25-54 demo. During total day, it had 1.508 million total viewers and 145,000 viewers in the demo.
Compared to its performance in September 2025, Fox News declined by -8% in total viewers and -19% in the A25-54 demo during primetime viewing hours. During total day, it also fell by -6% in total viewers and -19% in the demo when compared to the previous month—it was the only cable news network to see a double-digit loss in the demo during this daypart.
Looking at Fox News’ performance against the same month in 2024, it was down by -15% in total viewers and by -36% in the demo during prime. While in total day, it was down by -7% in total viewers and -32% in the demo.
The network finished October as the No. 2 cable network in total viewers and fourth in the demo during primetime. During total day, it was in first place in total viewers and was the No. 2 network in the demo.
MSNBC
MSNBC took second place among the most-watched cable news networks in primetime and total day, with 815,000 and 504,000 total viewers, respectively, in October. The network in the A25-54 demo had 73,000 viewers in primetime and 45,000 viewers during total day.
Compared to September, MSNBC was up +1% in total viewers and +6% in A25-54 during primetime. However, during total day, it fell by -1% in total viewers but was flat in the demo.
Looking at its performance in October 2024, MSNBC was down -41% in total viewers and -54% in the demo during primetime. It was down -44% in total viewers and -54% in the demo during total day.