The debate also inflated year-to-year comps for all three cable outlets. Compared to the same week in 2023 (the week of Sept. 11):

• Fox News was up +80% in primetime total viewers and +146% in the primetime demo. The network also saw gains of +42% and +66% in those respective categories across total day.
• MSNBC posted primetime gains of +66% among total viewers and +145% in the demo. Total day gains were +45% and +56% in both of those categories.
• CNN saw the biggest year-to-year bounces in primetime, with triple-digit gains of +146% in total viewers and +209% among the A25-54 crowd. In total day, it grew +50% and +65% in those respective categories.

Programming:

Fox saw its usual domination of the Top 15 most-watched cable news programs among total viewers challenged by MSNBC last week. While The Five (3.526 million viewers at 5 p.m.) finished first among FNC’s eight overall spots, seven MSNBC shows found their way onto the list led by The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell (1.958 million viewers at 10 p.m.) at No. 7.

Over on the Top 15 list of most-watched programs in the demo, FNC improved its standing to 10 slots with Hannity (452,000 viewers at 9 p.m.) leading the way. CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360 (273,000 viewers at 8 p.m.) was No. 8, while an average of MSNBC’s All in With Chris Hayes and Inside with Jen Psaki (219,000 viewers at 8 p.m.) ranked in 10th place. CNN had two shows in the Top 15 overall, while MSNBC had three.

Week of September 9 cable news ratings, Monday-Sunday (Nielsen Live+SD data):