This is TVNewser’s basic cable network ranker and cable news report for the week of May 12, 2025.
Fox News finished the week as the only cable news network with an upward swing during primetime in total viewers and the Adults 25-54. During total day, Fox News once again stood out as the only network to show growth in either of the measured categories.
Fox News—which had 99 of the top 100 cable news telecasts for the week—also pulled ahead of ABC and TNT in primetime total viewers during a week where both of those networks were carrying live sports. ABC aired the NHL playoffs, while TNT carried the NBA playoffs. Nevertheless, FNC’s audience of 3 million viewers in weekday primetime finished ahead of ABC’s 2.9 million and TNT’s 2.5 million.
Meanwhile, MSNBC’s new primetime lineup is still not connecting with audiences as the network registered a second week of declines in total viewers and the A25-54 demo. CNN finished ahead of MSNBC in the demo during primetime and total day.
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According to Nielsen Live Plus, same-day data for the week of May 12 saw FNC average 2.499 million total viewers and 282,000 A25-54 viewers during primetime. The network was up a respective +2% and +10% in those measured categories relative to the week prior (the week beginning May 5).
Fox News averaged 1.591 million total viewers and 184,000 A25-54 viewers in total day viewing. Week-to-week, it was up +1% in total viewers, but dropped by -3% in the demo.
Fox News remained second in total viewers and finished in third in the demo among all basic cable networks during primetime. In total day, it remained No. 1 in total viewers and retained the No. 3 position in the demo.
MSNBC’s primetime lineup averaged 811,000 total viewers and 67,000 A25-54 viewers for dips of -9% and -13%, respectively.
During total day, MSNBC averaged 532,000 total viewers and 47,000 demo viewers for respective declines of -6% and -10% in those respective categories.
Among all basic cable networks, MSNBC remained fourth in total viewers and dropped from No. 19 to No. 22 in the demo in primetime. During total day, it remained at third place in total viewers and slid to 14th in the demo, tied with the History Channel.
CNN averaged 405,000 total primetime viewers and 74,000 A25-54 viewers during primetime. That translates to respective declines of -11% and -12% relative to the week prior.
In total day, the network pulled in 341,000 total viewers and 58,000 viewers in the demo for a decline of -9% in both categories.
In relation to all the cable networks, CNN fell from seventh to 12th place in total viewers and dropped from No. 16 to No. 20 position in the demo during primetime. In total day, it remained No. 5 in total viewers and slid from No. 8 to No. 9 in the demo, tied with FX and HGTV.
