Cable News Ratings: MS NOW Gains Ground as Fox News Declines in Q4 2025
Published: 2026/01/23 12:58:10
The final quarter of 2025 witnessed a notable shift in the cable news landscape.MS NOW (formerly MSNBC) emerged as the sole network to experience growth across all key metrics – primetime and total day viewership – while Fox News, traditionally the dominant force, recorded declines in both categories. This analysis delves into the Q4 2025 ratings data, examining the performance of major cable news networks and the factors driving these changes.
Fox News: A Quarter of Declines Despite Overall Leadership
Despite remaining the most-watched cable news network Fox News experienced a challenging fourth quarter. According to Nielsen big data + panel, the network averaged 2.070 million total primetime viewers and 190,000 Adults 25-54 viewers. During total day, viewership reached 1.382 million total viewers and 126,000 in the key demo. However, these figures represent a downturn compared to the third quarter of 2025.
Fox News saw a -17% decrease in total viewers and a -22% drop in the Adults 25-54 demographic during primetime. Total day viewership declined by -12% and -21% respectively,making it the only cable news network to suffer double-digit declines in both measured categories.
The network finished Q4 in second place among all cable networks during primetime in total viewers and third in the demo. In total day, fox News maintained its top position in total viewers but slipped to second place in the demo.
Top Performing Programs on Fox News
- The Five: Averaged 3.614 million total viewers at 5 p.m. ET, making it the network’s most-watched program.
- Gutfeld!: Led in the Adults 25-54 demo with 289,000 viewers at 10 p.m. ET.
- Jesse Watters Primetime: Averaged 2,938,000 total viewers.
- Special Report with Bret Baier: Averaged 2,682,000 total viewers.
MS NOW: A Resurgence in Viewership Following Rebrand
MS NOW, which changed its name from MSNBC in November, demonstrated extraordinary growth in Q4 2025. The network averaged 883,000 total primetime viewers and 78,000 Adults 25-54 viewers. Total day viewership reached 560,000 total viewers and 49,000 in the key demo.
Compared to the third quarter, MS NOW experienced a +10% increase in total viewers and an +18% rise in the Adults 25-54 demo during primetime. this positive trend continued during total day, with a +14% increase in total viewers and a +20% increase in the demo. This growth suggests the rebrand may have resonated with viewers.
MS NOW remained in third place in total viewers but climbed from 20th to 19th place in the Adults 25-54 demo. During total day,the network held steady in third place for total viewers but dropped from 14th to 16th in the demo.
MS NOW’s Leading Program
The Rachel Maddow Show, airing at 9 p.m. ET, was MS NOW’s most-watched program, attracting an average of 1.75 million total viewers and 162,000 viewers in the Adults 25-54 demo.
CNN: Mixed Results and Shifting Position
CNN’s performance in Q4 2025 was more nuanced. The network averaged 519,000 total primetime viewers and 83,000 Adults 25-54 viewers. Total day viewership reached 406,000 total viewers and 61,000 in the key demo.
Compared to the third quarter,CNN saw a -4% decrease in total viewers and a -5% drop in the Adults 25-54 demo during primetime.However, total day viewership increased by +3% in total viewers, remaining flat in the demo.
CNN dropped to seventh place from fifth place during primetime in total viewers and tied for 15th in the demo with Bravo and Comedy Central. During total day, CNN maintained its No. 4 position in total viewers but fell to eighth place in the demo, tying with the Food Network.
CNN’s Top Performers
- The Arena with Kasie Hunt: Averaged 664,000 total viewers at 4 p.m. ET.
- Erin Burnett Outfront: Was the network’s most-watched show in the demo,with 97,000 viewers at 7 p.m. ET.
Performance of Other Cable News Networks
Beyond the “big three,” other cable news networks also experienced varying degrees of success and decline:
- Newsmax: Rob Schmitt Tonight was the network’s top show, but Newsmax experienced a -18% decline in total viewers and a -22% drop in the demo during primetime.
- NewsNation: Cuomo led in total viewers and the A25-54 demo, but the network saw a -10% decrease in total viewers and an -8% drop in the demo during primetime.
- Fox Business: Varney and Company was the top show in total viewers, while Making Money with Charles Payne led in the demo. FBN experienced declines in both primetime and total day viewership.
- CNBC: Fast money Halftime Report was the top show in total viewers, and Squawk on the Street led in the demo. CNBC saw a slight decline in total viewers during primetime but an increase in the demo.
Q4 2025 Cable News Ratings Overview
Here’s a summary of the key ratings figures for Q4 2025 (Nielsen Big Data + Panel):
| Fox News | MS NOW | CNN | |
| • Total Viewers: | 2,070,000 | 883,000 | 519,000 |
| • A25-54: | 190,000 | 78,000 | 83,000 |
Total Day Ratings:
| Fox News | MS NOW | CNN | |
| • Total Viewers: | 1,382,000 | 560,000 | 406,000 |
| • A25-54: | 126,000 | 49,000 | 61,000 |
4Q’25 Cable Ranker P25-54 BDP by Adweek
Looking Ahead
The Q4 2025 cable news ratings reveal a dynamic and evolving landscape. MS NOW’s growth, coupled with Fox News’s decline, signals a potential shift in viewer preferences. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether these trends continue and how networks adapt to maintain and attract viewership in an increasingly competitive media environment. The impact of the 2024 election cycle and ongoing geopolitical events will undoubtedly play a significant role in shaping the future of cable news ratings.
