Friday saw a notable shift in cable news viewership, with one network dominating both total viewers and key demographics. This performance occurred as many programs across the cable landscape featured fill-in anchors.
The latest viewership data reveals a clear leader in the cable news race on Friday.
Key Takeaways:
- A specific network secured the top spot in both total viewers and the coveted 25-54 demographic.
- Two programs on a rival network retained their regular anchors, while others relied on temporary hosts.
- Ratings indicate a substantial difference in audience size across the major cable news channels.
What were the key viewership numbers on Friday? On Friday, the network generally known as FNC (Fox News Channel) outpaced CNN and MSNBC in both total viewers and the 25-54 demographic for both total day and primetime ratings.
Cable News Ratings: A Friday Snapshot
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On Friday, FNC maintained its leading position in the cable news landscape. The network captured the most viewers in both total audience numbers and the Adults 25-54 demographic throughout the day and during primetime hours.
In contrast, CNN finished the day in the No. 3 spot for both metrics. Only two of CNN’s programs, “The Arena with Kasie Hunt” and “The Source with Kaitlan Collins,” had their usual anchors presenting on Friday. The remaining CNN programs featured guest hosts.
Demographic Performance: Adults 25-54 (Live+SD x 1,000)
During total day, FNC drew 147,000 viewers in the 25-54 demographic, compared to CNN’s 44,000 and MSNBC’s 46,000.
In primetime, FNC led with 206,000 viewers in the same demographic. CNN followed with 46,000, and MSNBC had 47,000.
| FNC: | CNN: | MSNBC: | |
| 4PM | Cain: 264 |
Hunt: 71 |
Wallace: 81 |
| 5PM | The Five: 356 |
The Lead: 74 |
Wallace: 79 |
| 6PM | Baier: 215 |
The Lead: 79 |
The Beat: 81 |
| 7PM | The Ingraham Angle: 157 |
Outfront: 67 |
Weeknight: 48 |
| 8PM | Watters: 208 |
AC 360: 37 |
All In: 68 |
| 9PM | Hannity: 159 |
Collins: 49 |
Psaki: 47 |
| 10PM | Gutfeld!: 251 |
CNN NewsNight: 54 |
Last Word: 27 |
| 11PM | @Night: 116 |
Coates Live: 25 |
Ruhle: 31 |
Total Viewer Performance (Live+SD x 1,000)
Looking at total viewers for the entire day, FNC attracted 1,545,000 viewers. CNN garnered 296,000 viewers, while MSNBC had 532,000.
In primetime, FNC’s viewership reached 2,326,000. CNN secured 371,000 viewers, and MSNBC drew 738,000.
| FNC: | CNN: | MSNBC: | |
| 4PM | Cain: 2,184 |
Hunt: 409 |
Wallace: 929 |
| 5PM | The Five: 3,350 |
The Lead: 479 |
Wallace: 883 |
| 6PM | Baier: 2,296 |
The Lead: 448 |
The Beat: 752 |
| 7PM | The Ingraham Angle: 2,079 |
Outfront: 456 |
Weeknight: 653 |
| 8PM | Watters: 2,560 |
AC 360: 393 |
All In: 725 |
| 9PM | Hannity: 1,908 |
Collins: 378 |
Psaki: 765 |
| 10PM | Gutfeld!: 2,510 |
CNN NewsNight: 343 |
Last Word: 725 |
| 11PM | @Night: 1,174 |
Coates Live: 170 |
Ruhle: 539 |
