This is TVNewser’s basic cable network ranker and cable news report for the week of Feb. 17, 2025.
Fox News and CNN were the recipients of positive momentum as the two cable networks recorded week-to-week growth in total viewers and the Adults 25-54 demo during primetime, according to Nielsen Media Research.
CNN was the only network that saw gains in both measured categories during the both dayparts.
Meanwhile, MSNBC—which announced significant programming changes and possible layoffs this week—saw double-digit drops in the advertiser-prized demo during both dayparts.
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Nielsen live plus same-day data for the week of Feb. 17 saw FNC average 3.154 million total viewers and 378,000 A25-54 viewers during primetime. The network was up +5% in the former category and +1% in the latter relative to the week prior (the week beginning Feb. 10).
FNC averaged 1.975 million total viewers and 244,000 A25-54 viewers in total day viewing. That translates to a flat in the former category and a +2% bump in the latter compared to the previous week.
Among all basic cable networks, Fox News finished first in total primetime viewers and moved from third to second in the demo. In total day, it remained No. 1 in total viewers and fell to second place in the demo.
MSNBC’s primetime lineup averaged 1.085 million total viewers and 93,000 viewers in the A25-54 demo. Week-to-week, the network was flat in the former category and down -13% in the latter.
During total day, MSNBC averaged 613,000 total viewers and 57,000 A25-54 viewers for declines of -1% and -11%, respectively.
On the basic cable charts, MSNBC rose from fourth to third place in total primetime viewers but fell from No. 15 to No. 19 in the demo. During total day, the network slipped to third place in total viewers and dipped from No. 12 to No. 13 in the demo, tied with FXX.
In primetime, CNN averaged 531,000 total viewers and 110,000 A25-54 viewers for gains +9% and +8%, respectively.
In total day, the network saw 420,000 total viewers and 72,000 viewers in the demo for respective gains of +12% and +3%, compared to the previous week.
In relation to all the cable networks during primetime, CNN jumped from 11th place to fifth place in total viewers and from No. 17 to No. 11 in the demo. During total day, it remained fourth in total viewers and 10th in the demo.
When looking at these networks’ performance during the same period a year ago (the week of Feb. 19):
