In the ever-shifting sands of the media landscape, cable news ratings serve as a vital pulse check on public interest, advertiser appeal, and network strategies. As 2025 draws to a close a year marked by high-stakes elections, a major MSNBC rebrand to MS NOW, and intensifying competition from streaming giants understanding these numbers isn’t just for industry insiders. It’s crucial for marketers eyeing ad spends, journalists tracking narrative dominance, and viewers curious about why certain stories dominate airwaves. With Fox News solidifying its throne, CNN rebounding through multiplatform gains, and MS NOW posting unexpected growth, the cable news ratings 2025 tell a story of resilience amid cord-cutting and fragmented attention spans. This weekly report dives into the freshest data (week ending November 23, 2025, per Nielsen via Adweek), uncovers trends, and offers actionable insights to navigate the buzz.
Why tune in now? December’s holiday slowdown often masks year-end surges, but early indicators show Fox pulling ahead in total viewers while demos favor diverse plays. With over 70 million U.S. households still subscribed to cable, these metrics influence billions in ad revenue Fox alone commanded 57% of the cable news share in November. Whether you’re optimizing your tv ratings strategy or just love the drama, let’s orbit the key players.
The 2025 Cable News Landscape: A Year of Peaks and Pivots
The cable news ratings 2025 saga has been anything but predictable. Fox News kicked off the year with its highest-rated Q1 ever, averaging 3.012 million primetime viewers a 46% YoY jump fueled by post-election fervor. MSNBC, pre-rebrand, hit lows in Q3 (802,000 primetime), but November’s election coverage and fresh identity as MS NOW sparked a 54% primetime surge for the week of November 17. CNN, meanwhile, leaned into streaming expansions, boosting November TV viewership by 7% in daytime P2+ and ranking top-5 in total day among cable nets.
Broader trends? Top cable news ratings reveal a demo skew: Adults 25-54 (A25-54) favor Fox’s 243,000 Q3 average, but CNN edged MSNBC in election-night demos with 574,000. Cord-cutting eroded overall audiences cable TV’s share dipped to 24.1% in May but news bucked the trend, with Fox topping all TV in primetime viewers for months. External factors like TikTok virality (MS NOW hit 7.4 billion views YTD) and NFL crossovers amplified reach. For deeper dives, check Nielsen’s top 10 weekly rankings.
Insight: In a polarized era, ratings reflect echo chambers Fox’s loyalty yields volume, while rivals chase younger eyes via digital. As 2026 looms, expect AI-driven personalization to further splinter viewership.
Cable News Ratings This Week: November 17-23 Snapshot
With December 8 marking a quiet pre-holiday lull, the latest full week (November 17-23) via Adweek’s Nielsen data paints a vivid picture of cable news ratings this week. Fox News held its iron grip, but MS NOW’s rebrand glow continued, posting week-over-week gains across metrics. CNN stabilized with modest upticks, buoyed by global election extensions.
Primetime highlights: Fox averaged 2.121 million total viewers (down slightly from prior peaks but up 21% YoY in some slots), MS NOW climbed to 1.014 million (+54% WoW), and CNN hit 570,000 (+37% WoW). Total day followed suit Fox at 1.38 million, MS NOW at 649,000 (+34% WoW), CNN at 450,000 (+34% WoW). Demos told a tighter tale: Fox’s 189,000 A25-54 led, but CNN’s 103,000 edged MS NOW’s 90,000.
Top shows stole the show: Fox’s The Five drew 3.721 million on November 17, snagging 12 of 15 most-watched slots. MS NOW’s The Rachel Maddow Show (Mondays) pulled 1.316 million, while CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360 notched 138,000 in demo. No major scandals spiked numbers, but NYC mayoral race calls peaked MS NOW at 3.3 million mid-broadcast.
For daily granularity, cable news ratings yesterday (December 7) aren’t finalized, but prelims suggest steady Fox leads check Adweek’s live updates for Monday’s 12/1 drops, where broadcast crossovers like The Neighborhood stumbled but news held firm.
Fox Cable News Ratings Today: Unyielding Dominance
When it comes to fox cable news ratings today, Fox News remains the undisputed heavyweight. For the week of November 17, primetime clocked 2.121 million P2+ viewers and 189,000 A25-54 extending its 95-quarter streak as cable’s top dog. Total day? 1.38 million viewers, 121,000 demo, outpacing rivals combined in many slots.
November monthlys amplified this: Fox grabbed 65% primetime share, with weekday averages hitting 3.193 million second only to broadcast giants like CBS. Standouts included Sunday Night in America with Trey Gowdy (1.2 million primetime) and The Big Weekend Show (weekend leader). Year-to-date, Fox’s Q4 trajectory suggests another record, up 47% YoY in March alone.
Fox cable news ratings this week underscore strategic wins: Eight straight years as top cable net, plus NFL synergies smashing records (e.g., Thanksgiving games averaged 8.13 million on Fox). Insight: Fox’s edge lies in consistency passionate audiences tune for affirmation, not novelty. As one analyst noted, “Fox isn’t just news; it’s community.” For real-time tracking, USTVDB’s Fox dashboard logs daily fluctuations.
CNN Cable News Ratings: Multiplatform Momentum
Cnn cable news ratings have been a redemption arc in 2025. The network’s November surge up 7% in daytime P2+, top-5 cable total day stemmed from streaming expansions and election-night globals reaching 28 million worldwide. Week of November 17: Primetime 570,000 total viewers (+37% WoW), 103,000 demo (+30% WoW); total day 450,000 (+34% WoW), 73,000 demo.
Key drivers? Election Night in America 2025 topped demos with 574,000 A25-54, outpacing MSNBC. Monthly, CNN ranked #2 in cable demos some days, with The Lead with Jake Tapper averaging 662,000 YTD. Compared to Q2’s 538,000 primetime low, November’s gains signal stabilization.
Deep insight: CNN’s hybrid model TV + digital offsets linear declines. TikTok clips and podcasts added billions in impressions, appealing to under-35s ditching cable. Yet challenges persist: Fifth in total viewers, eighth in primetime demo. As CNN’s press room highlights, “Double-digit growth vs. off-year elections.” Explore CNN’s ratings archive for streaming breakdowns.
MSNBC/MS NOW Ratings: Rebrand Revival
The MSNBC-to-MS NOW pivot has injected fresh life into cable news ratings. Post-rebrand week (November 17): Primetime soared to 1.014 million total viewers (+54% WoW), 90,000 demo (+50% WoW) a year-high driven by election calls and Maddow’s pull. Total day: 649,000 (+34% WoW), 60,000 demo (+43% WoW).
November overall: MS NOW hit 945,000 primetime Saturdays, trailing Fox’s 2.38 million but lapping CNN’s 556,000. Deadline: White House with Nicolle Wallace drew 1.316 million, while digital clips racked 7.4 billion views YTD. From Q3’s 802,000 slump, this 4% total-day bump signals traction.
Insight: The rebrand’s “now” focus quicker hits, viral segments resonated with demos, sliding to ninth overall but up WoW. As Adweek reports, “MS NOW grew where others plateaued.” For comparisons, see USTVDB’s MSNBC page.
Cable News Ratings Chart: Visualizing the Battle
To crystallize cable news ratings chart dynamics, here’s a breakdown of November 2025 monthly averages (Nielsen via Cord Cutters News). This table compares primetime and total day across networks, highlighting shares and YoY shifts essential for spotting top cable news ratings movers.
| Network | Primetime Total Viewers (000s) | Primetime A25-54 (000s) | Total Day Total Viewers (000s) | Total Day A25-54 (000s) | Cable News Share (%) | YoY Change (Primetime) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fox News | 2,121 | 189 | 1,380 | 121 | 57 | +21% |
| MS NOW | 945 | 90 | 649 | 60 | 25 | +54% (WoW) |
| CNN | 556 | 103 | 450 | 73 | 18 | +7% |
Data reflects November dominance: Fox’s volume crushes, but CNN’s demo nudge (103k vs. MS NOW’s 90k) hints at youth appeal. Trends? Fox’s share holds steady, while rivals’ WoW gains suggest holiday volatility. For interactive visuals, Nielsen’s insights hub offers customizable cable news ratings chart tools.
Adweek Cable News Ratings Yesterday: Daily Pulses and Broader Trends
Adweek cable news ratings yesterday (prelims for December 7) show incremental holds: Fox led with ~1.97 million total day (echoing election-week highs), per TV Insider. No seismic shifts, but MS NOW’s +4% total day lingers from rebrand momentum.
Year-in-review: Cable news ratings today favor Fox’s 95-quarter reign, but 2025’s twists MS NOW’s November peak, CNN’s multiplatform push signal adaptation. Declines hit all (Fox -30% July YoY), yet news outpaces general cable erosion. Future? Expect Q4 NFL boosts and 2026 midterms to spike fox cable news ratings this week.
Insight: Ratings aren’t destinydigital hybrids like CNN’s 28M election reach prove off-TV wins. Marketers: Target Fox for boomers, CNN for urbans.
FAQ: Common Queries on Cable News Ratings
What are cable news ratings this week for Fox?
For November 17-23, Fox averaged 2.121 million primetime viewers, leading all cable check Adweek for December updates.
How do CNN cable news ratings compare to MSNBC in 2025?
CNN edged demos (103k vs. 90k primetime Nov 17), but MSNBC’s rebrand yielded higher total viewers (945k vs. 556k Saturdays).
What’s the latest on fox cable news ratings today?
Prelims show ~1.97 million total day; monthly November hit 3.193 million weekdays, second to broadcasts.
Why the focus on A25-54 in cable news ratings chart?
Advertisers prize this demo for buying power Fox leads at 189k November primetime, but CNN’s 103k shows competitive youth play.
Did the MS NOW rebrand boost cable news ratings 2025?
Yes +54% primetime WoW to 1.014 million, with 7.4B digital views YTD signaling broader revival.
Where can I find adweek cable news ratings yesterday?
Adweek’s ratings category updates dailies; USTVDB aggregates Nielsen for weekly charts.
Are tv ratings declining overall in cable news?
Yes, -30% YoY for Fox in July, but news outperforms cable averages (24.1% share), buoyed by events.
Final Thoughts: Navigating the Ratings Galaxy
This cable news ratings weekly report underscores 2025’s core truth: Fox’s volume reign endures, but MS NOW’s spark and CNN’s digital savvy keep the race dynamic. From November’s 2.121 million Fox primetime peak to rebrand-fueled surges, these metrics illuminate viewer loyalties amid streaming’s rise.
