✍ Written by Krisada Eaton. 🔊 Read by AI Assistant Jennifer.
As of April 1, 2025, Fox News continues to lead cable news ratings, outperforming competitors such as MSNBC, CNN, Newsmax, and CBS News. In 2024, Fox News achieved its highest audience share in nearly a decade, commanding 56% of the primetime cable news audience and 53% in total day viewership.
Throughout 2024, Fox News averaged 2.4 million primetime viewers, a 30% increase from the previous year, and 1.5 million total day viewers, up 21%. In the key demographic of adults aged 25-54, the network saw 298,000 primetime viewers (a 40% rise) and 186,000 total day viewers (up 26%).
In comparison, MSNBC averaged 1.3 million primetime viewers in 2024, a 4% increase, with 137,000 in the 25-54 demographic (up 12%). CNN experienced a 20% growth in primetime viewership, averaging 700,000 total viewers and 151,000 in the 25-54 demographic.
Newsmax, while not matching the leading networks, showed notable performance. During the week of December 9, 2024, Newsmax ranked 26th among cable networks in primetime with 256,000 total viewers and 23rd in total day ratings with 176,000 viewers.
CBS News' "Face the Nation" led Sunday political affairs programs on December 15, 2024, with 2.6 million viewers. However, specific annual ratings for CBS News' overall programming are not readily available.
These figures underscore Fox News' dominant position in the cable news landscape, with MSNBC and CNN maintaining significant but smaller audiences, and Newsmax emerging as a notable player.