Last week, CNN’s primetime viewership cratered to a mere 444,000 viewers. This continues a trend over the past couple of years where CNN has been trailing far behind successful cable news competition such as Fox News Channel.
TVNewser reported on the week of January 16 cable news ratings:
As usual, Fox News Channel was the top cable news network in total viewers and adults 25-54 for the week of January 16, 2023, finishing substantially ahead of its MSNBC and CNN competition.
According to live plus same day data from Nielsen, Fox News placed second overall in total primetime viewers among ad-supported basic cable networks, behind ESPN, averaging two million total viewers. FNC placed fourth overall in A25-54 among ad-supported basic cable outlets, behind ESPN, TNT, and TBS, with 256,000 viewers from the measurement. In total day FNC placed No. 1 overall in total viewers, averaging 1.39 million, and placed second in A25-54 viewers (behind ESPN), averaging 176,000.
CNN has made a habit of being in last place, not even close to MSNBC who is significantly ahead. Leading the charge in lackluster ratings over at CNN is Don Lemon, whose ratings have been called a “catastrophe”.
Breitbart commented on “Demoted Don’s” ratings collapse:
The best news comes from Don Lemon.
If you recall, Lemon was demoted from his basement-rated primetime perch to save CNN’s failed morning show… With Lemon on board, New Day became CNN This Morning, and you’ll never guess what happened. CNN This Morning is a catastrophe that averaged only 331,000 viewers.
TVNewser continued on the ratings:
Compared to the previous week, Fox News fell by -10% in total primetime viewers, -4% in primetime A25-54 viewers, -6% in total day viewers and -4% in total day A25-54 viewers. Compared to the year-ago week, Fox News is -18% in total primetime viewers, -28% in primetime A25-54 viewers, -8% in total day viewers and -28% in total day A25-54 viewers.
MSNBC placed third in primetime among ad-supported cablers but with only 943,000 total viewers on average. The network has, in recent years, averaged more than a million primetime viewers on non-holiday weeks. The network placed third in total day viewers with 629,000 viewers. In Adults 25-54, MSNBC placed 31st in primetime (tied w/ E!, Paramount) with a 91,000 average and 23rd in total day with a 69,000 average.
Compared to the previous week, MSNBC shed -7% in total primetime viewers, -7% in primetime A25-54 viewers, -5% in total day viewers and actually gained +3% in total day A25-54 viewers. Compared to the year-ago week, MSNBC is -21% in total primetime viewers, -32% in primetime A25-54 viewers, -6% in total day viewers and -12% in total day A25-54 viewers.
CNN placed 18th in total primetime viewers with a paltry 444,000 viewers on average, and sixth in total day with 417,000 . In Adults 25-54, CNN placed 29th in primetime with 93,000 on average, and 15th in total day with 80,000 on average. The 80,000 A25-54 average in total day represents the network’s smallest delivery since 2014.
Whatever they have been doing over at CNN clearly isn’t working. The news network has recently embarked on a massive restructuring of the organization in an attempt to turn things around. This includes bringing in a new CEO, mass firings, a change in journalistic standards, and more.
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