This is TVNewser’s basic cable network ranker and cable news report for the week of September 2, 2024.
The post-holiday period was not kind to networks as all three cable nets saw a drop in their week-to-week numbers in total viewers and the prized demo of Adults 25-54. MSNBC and CNN saw steeper drops as they were down double digits in total viewers and the demo during primetime. CNN was the only network to see a double-digit fall during the total day.
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Nielsen live plus same-day data for the week of September 2 saw FNC average 2.226 million total viewers and 277,000 A25-54 viewers during primetime. The network was down in total viewers by -4% and -3% in the A25-54 demo relative to the week prior (the week beginning August 26). Fox News averaged 1.354 million total viewers and 176,000 A25-54 viewers in total day viewing. It was down -2% in total viewers and the demo from what it averaged in those measurements the week prior.
Among all basic cable networks, Fox News remained at to No. 1 in total primetime viewers and second in the demo. In total day, it continued to lead in total viewers and was second in the total day demo for the week of September 2.
MSNBC in primetime averaged 1,109,000 total viewers and 112,000 viewers in the A25-54 demo for the week of September 2. The network dropped in total viewers by -14% and -22% in the demo compared to its average the week prior. In total day, MSNBC averaged 839,000 total viewers and 84,000 A25-54 viewers. It was down during total day by -2% in total viewers and -6% in the demo, from what the network averaged the week before.
Among all basic cable networks, MSNBC was No.3 in total primetime viewers and dropped from seventh to 12th in the demo. During total day, it finished in second place in total viewers and rose to fourth place from sixth in the total day demo.
CNN averaged 662,000 total primetime viewers and 123,000 A25-54 viewers in the demo during primetime for the week of September 2. CNN fell in total viewers by -36% and -37% in the demo compared to the previous week. In total day, the network had 495,000 total viewers and 83,000 viewers in the demo. CNN’s performance this week fell by -11% in total viewers and -17% in the demo.
CNN fell to fifth place in primetime with total viewers and eighth in the demo. It remained fourth in total day viewers and dropped to No. 5 in the total day demo.
When looking at these networks’ performance during the same period a year ago:
- During primetime, Fox News was up by +44% in total viewers and +59% in the A25-54 demo. In total day, the network saw gains of +31% in total viewers and +34% in the demo.
- MSNBC’s was up +9% in total viewers and in the demo. During total day, the network was up +15% in total viewers and +5% in the demo.
- CNN, in primetime, saw a lift of +13% in total viewers and +14% in the demo. During total day, CNN was up by +5% in total viewers and remained flat in the demo.