MSNBC Defies Cable News Trend, posts flat Ratings week of September 22
NEW YORK – While overall cable news viewership experienced declines during the week of September 22, MSNBC bucked the trend, maintaining consistent ratings across both total viewers and the key adults 25-54 demographic. The network’s performance arrives as other cable news outlets grapple with audience attrition following a period of heightened political coverage, signaling a potential shift in viewer loyalty.
The stability of MSNBC’s viewership is particularly noteworthy in a landscape where Fox News, despite dominating the charts, also saw overall numbers dip slightly. This sustained engagement suggests MSNBC is successfully retaining its core audience and possibly attracting viewers seeking option perspectives. The data underscores the ongoing fragmentation of the cable news market and the increasing importance of consistent programming to maintain a dedicated viewership base.
Fox News continued its overall lead, securing 14 of the 15 most-watched cable news shows. The Five topped the charts with 3.731 million total viewers at 5 p.m. ET. MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show, airing Mondays at 9 p.m. ET, was the sole representative for the network in the top 15, landing at No. 9 with 1.992 million total viewers.
In the adults 25-54 demographic,Gutfeld! led with 367,000 viewers at 10 p.m. ET. again, Fox News claimed 14 of the 15 top spots, with The Rachel Maddow Show securing the No. 7 position with 216,000 viewers.
Hear’s a breakdown of the overall ratings for the week:
Prime Time
| Fox News | MSNBC | CNN | |
|---|---|---|---|
| • Total Viewers: | 2,454,000 | 853,000 | 538,000 |
| • A25-54: | 249,000 | 71,000 | 86,000 |
Total Day
| Fox News | MSNBC | CNN | |
|---|---|---|---|
| • Total Viewers: | 1,524,000 | 514,000 | 387,000 |
| • A25-54: | 156,000 | 48,000 | 59,000 |
