This Is the Cable News Ratings Report for 2024

This is TVNewser’s basic cable network ranker and cable news report for 2024.

The cable news networks will be pleased with their overall performance during the just concluded year as they posted better numbers compared to 2023. 

The highlight—and ratings driver—of the year was the presidential contest between Vice President Kamala Harris and President-elect Donald Trump. Interest in the election did not seriously pick up until the second half of 2024 when President Joe Biden stepped down and Harris took his place at the top of the ticket.

Fox News proved the the biggest beneficiary of the election cycle. It was the only cable network to see double-digit growth across the board during primetime and total day among total viewers and the advertiser-coveted demo of Adults 25-54.

One important caveat: When the 2024 numbers are stacked up against 2020—the last presidential election year—it is very evident that the cable news nets are experiencing serious audience erosion, even at Fox News.

NETWORKS:

Nielsen live plus same-day data for the year 2024 saw FNC average 2.384 million total viewers and 294,000 A25-54 viewers during primetime. The network was up +30% in total viewers and +40% in the A25-54 demo relative to the year prior. 

Across total day, Fox News averaged 1.458 million total viewers and 186,000 A25-54 viewers for year-to-year gains of +21% and +26%, respectively.

Among all basic cable networks, Fox News finished in first place in total primetime viewers and third place in the primetime demo. In total day, it remained the leader in total viewers and finished in the No. 2 position in the demo.

MSNBC’s primetime lineup averaged 1.223 million total viewers and 133,000 viewers in the A25-54 demo for 2024, which translates to respective gains of +1% and +9% compared to 2023.

During total day, MSNBC averaged 791,000 total viewers and 84,000 A25-54 viewers for a bump of +2% in the former category, and a dip of -2% in the latter.

Among all the basic cable networks, MSNBC remained in third place in total primetime viewers and ninth in the primetime demo. During total day, the network was No. 2 in total viewers and eighth in the demo. 

CNN averaged 685,000 total primetime viewers and 147,000 A25-54 viewers during primetime for year-to-year gains of +18% in the former category and +17% in the latter.

Across total day, the network saw 481,000 total viewers and 91,000 demo viewers, which respectively translates to a flat result and a -3% decline compared to 2023.

On the basic cable charts, CNN finished in seventh place among total viewers and ranked sixth in the primetime demo. During total day, CNN took fourth place in total viewers and sixth place in the demo. 

When looking at these networks’ performance compared to 2020:

• During primetime, Fox News was down by -34% in total viewers (3.62 million) and -55% in the A25-54 demo (647,000). During total day, the network saw losses of -23% in total viewers (1.9 million) and -47% in the demo (351,000).
• MSNBC was down by -43% in total viewers (2.15 million) and -63% in the demo (361,000). During total day, the network was down -36% in total viewers (1.24 million) and -58% in the demo (202,000).
• CNN’s primetime lineup plunged -62% in total viewers (1.79 million) and -72% in the demo (522,000). During total day, the network fell -58% in total viewers (1.14 million) and -71% in the demo (313,000).

PROGRAMMING:

Fox News took 12 out of the 15 spots of the most-watched cable news shows of the year with The Five (3.396 million viewers at 5 p.m. ET) at the top. MSNBC nabbed the remaining three spots with Deadline: White House with Nicole Wallace (1.531 million viewers at 5 p.m. ET) landing at No. 13.

Gutfeld! (355,000 viewers at 10 p.m. ET) was the top show in the A25-54 demo, with Fox News occupying 14 out of the 15 spots. MSNBC’s timeslot dedicated to All In with Chris Hayes/Inside with Jen Psaki (149,000 viewers at 8 p.m. ET) finished at No. 15.

Prime Time

Total Day