This is TVNewser’s basic cable network ranker and cable news report for the week of April 28, 2025.
MSNBC was the lone standout network to record week-to-week declines in total viewers and the Adults 25-54 demo during primetime and total day. It saw double-digit drops in both measured categories in primetime, which coincided with the conclusion of Rachel Maddow’s 100-day run hosting her show five nights a week.
Meanwhile, Fox News was the only news network to see positive numbers across the board.
Once again, the cable networks faced heavy competition from the sports world as they competed opposite playoff battles within the NBA and the NHL.
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According to Nielsen Live Plus, same-day data saw FNC average 2.479 million total viewers and 256,000 A25-54 viewers during primetime. The network was up +6% in the former category and +3% in the latter relative to the week prior.
Fox News averaged 1.553 million total viewers and 180,000 A25-54 viewers in total day viewing for a week-to-week bump of +3% in both categories.
Fox News remained second in total primetime viewers and climbed from fifth to fourth in the demo among all basic cable networks. In total day, it remained No. 1 in total viewers and held steady at No. 3 in the demo.
MSNBC’s primetime lineup averaged 1.017 million total viewers and 88,000 A25-54 viewers for respective declines of -14% and -12% in both measured categories.
During total day, MSNBC averaged 577,000 total viewers and 55,000 demo viewers for declines of -9% in total viewers and -5%, respectively.
Among all basic cable networks, MSNBC remained fourth in total primetime viewers and hung in at No. 15 network in the demo. During total day, it moved from fourth to third in total viewers and rose from 14th to 13th in the demo.
CNN averaged 458,000 total viewers and 81,000 A25-54 viewers during primetime. The network rose by +2% in the former category and dipped -5% in the latter. In total day, the network saw 365,000 total viewers and 60,000 viewers in the demo for a -6% decline in the former category and a flat result in the latter.
In relation to all the cable networks, CNN rose from 12th to eighth place in total viewers and jumped from No. 21 to No. 17 position in the demo, tied with AMC. It remained in fifth place with total viewers during total day and rose from No. 12 to No. 10 in the demo, tied with TV Land.
When looking at these networks’ performance during the same period a year ago (the week of April 29):
- During primetime, Fox News increased by +24% in total viewers and +21% in the A25-54 demo. During total day, the network saw gains of +19% in total viewers and +17% in the demo.
- MSNBC dropped -15% in total viewers and -20% in the demo. During total day, the network was down -31% in total viewers and -37% in the demo.
- In primetime, CNN decreased by -23% in total viewers and -28% in the demo. During total day, it dropped by -26% in total viewers and -32% in the demo.
