Week of Dec. 9 Cable News Ratings: Audiences Check out of News Ahead of the Holidays

This is TVNewser’s basic cable network ranker and cable news report for the week of Dec. 9, 2024.

The cable news nets had a ho-hum week as none of the big three outlets posted week-to-week gains with total viewers in primetime. But CNN did have something to be happy about as the network saw a small uptick in total day total viewers—the only network to record any week-to-week gains in either measured category across the tracked dayparts.

Fox News also had something to gloat about: the network attracted 69% of the total day cable news audience over the weekend, which represents FNC’s second-best performance in its history.

With the year rapidly drawing to a close and the holiday season in full swing, the absence of any major news story during this period may cause the cable news nets to remain in a state of flux until January. 

NETWORKS:

Nielsen live plus same-day data for the week of Dec 9 saw FNC average 2.502 million total viewers and 281,000 Adults 25-54 viewers during primetime. The network was flat in both categories relative to the week prior.

In total day, Fox News averaged 1.655 million total viewers and 201,000 A25-54 viewers for dips of -2% and -3%, respectively.

Among all basic cable networks, Fox News finished in first place in total primetime viewers and slipped from No. 2 to No. 3 in the primetime demo. In total day, it occupied the top spot in total viewers and remained in second place with A25-54 audiences.

MSNBC’s primetime lineup averaged 590,000 total viewers and 49,000 A25-54 viewers for week-to-week declines of -7% and -13%, respectively.

During total day, MSNBC averaged 444,000 total viewers and 38,000 A25-54 viewers for respective drops -3% and -5% relative to the week prior.

On the basic cable charts, MSNBC remained in fifth place with total primetime viewers and fell from 29th to 35th in the primetime demo. During total day, the network remained in fourth place with total viewers and No. 26 in the demo tied with Hallmark Mystery.

CNN averaged 360,000 total primetime viewers and 62,000 A25-54 viewers during primetime for respective declines of -2% and -7% compared to the previous week.

In total day, the network attracted 326,000 total viewers and 50,000 viewers in the demo for a gain of +1% in the former category and a decline of -4% in the latter. CNN also held firm as the No. 2 network in the demo in both primetime and total day.

On the cable charts, CNN dropped from 17th to 19th place among primetime total viewers and from 26th to 27th in the primetime demo, tied with TV Land. During total day, CNN slid from fifth to sixth place with total viewers and fell from 15th to 19th place in the demo. 

When looking at these networks’ performance compared to the same period a year ago (the week of Dec. 11):

• During primetime, Fox News was up by +43% in total viewers and +61% in the demo. During total day, the network saw gains of +42% in total viewers and +62% in the demo.
• MSNBC was down by -47% in total viewers and -50% in the demo. During total day, the network was down -41% in total viewers and -46% in the demo.
• CNN fell by -21% in total viewers and -34% in the demo during primetime. Across total day, CNN was down by -22% in total viewers and -32% in the demo.

PROGRAMMING:

Fox News took all 15 spots of the most-watched cable news shows of the week, with The Five (4.019 million viewers at 5 p.m. ET) remaining on top.

The Five (400,000 viewers at 5 p.m. ET) was also the top show in the A25-54 demo, with FNC once again occupying all 15 spots.

Prime Time

Total Day

[Editor’s Note: Due to the holiday, this will be the last cable ranker of 2024. Reports will resume the week of Jan. 5]

Week of 12-9-24 Cable Ranker by Adweek on Scribd