Below are the cable news ratings for the second quarter of 2025.

The threat of widespread conflict in the Middle East and the U.S. involvement were the main news stories of the second quarter.

Despite these bubbling tensions, the second-quarter cable news ratings were not as impressive as those in the first quarter, as all three cable news networks experienced declines in total viewers and the Adult 25-54 demo during primetime. 

MSNBC was the lone bright spot for the quarter as it was the only news network not to lose viewers in either of the measured categories during total day. Rachel Maddow‘s return to her once-a-week schedule did, however, hurt the network’s primetime momentum.

Fox News continued its streak as cable news’ most-watched network and also surged past a couple of the broadcast networks, ABC (2.977 million) and NBC (2.704 million), in primetime in total viewers. This was the network’s second-highest-rated second quarter in network history with weekday total day viewers, trailing its coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Fox News Channel

Fox News averaged 2.633 million total primetime viewers and 304,000 Adults 25-54 viewers in Q2 2025. During total day, Fox News had 1.632 million total viewers and 202,000 demo viewers.  

Compared to the first quarter, Fox News was down -13% in total viewers and -20 in the demo during primetime. When looking at total day, it was down by -15% and -18% in total viewers and the demo, respectively.

When comparing its performance in the same quarter of 2024, it saw a +25% increase in total viewers and a +34% increase in the demo during primetime. Looking at total day, the network was up +25% and +31% in total viewers and the demo, respectively. Fox News was the only network with year-over-year same-quarter growth.

Fox News’ domination at the top of cable news has now stretched to 94 consecutive quarters, according to Nielsen Media Research. 

Fox News was the most-watched cable network during primetime with total viewers and was the third most-watched network in the demo. During total day, Fox News was again on top in total viewers and finished in second place in the demo.

MSNBC

During Q2 2025, MSNBC averaged 1.008 million total primetime viewers and 91,000 primetime demo viewers. During total day, MSNBC had 596,000 total viewers and 57,000 A25-54 viewers.  

When looking at MSNBC’s performance vs. the first quarter in 2025, it was down in total viewers and the demo by -2% and  -5%, respectively, during primetime. However, during total day, the network was up +1% in total viewers and was flat in the demo—the only network not to lose viewers during this daypart.

When compared to the second quarter of 2024, MSNBC was down -15% in total viewers and -20% in the A25-54 demo during primetime. It was also down -26% and -31% in the demo during total day.

MSNBC was the fourth most-watched cable news network in total viewers and No. 15 in the demo. During total day, MSNBC was in second place in total viewers and was 11th in the demo. 

CNN

CNN averaged 538,000 total primetime viewers and 105,000 primetime demo viewers in Q2 2025. During total day, the network had 406,000 total viewers and 71,000 A25-54 viewers. 

Compared to the first quarter, CNN was down -4% and -13% in total viewers and the demo, respectively, in primetime. When looking at how it performed during total day, it was down -5% in total viewers and -10% in the demo. 

The network experienced a -13% decline in total viewers and a -15% decline in A25-54 during primetime compared to the second quarter of 2024. During total day, it had losses of  -14% and -16% in total viewers and the demo, respectively.

CNN finished in 6th place during primetime with total viewers and tied for 9th in the demo with HGTV. During total day, CNN was No.5 in total viewers and landed in sixth place in the demo. 

PROGRAMMING

• Fox News – The Five was Fox News’ most-watched program, with total viewers coming in with an average of 3.851 million viewers at 5 p.m. ET. The Five also took top honors in the demo, with 410,000 viewers.
• MSNBC – The Rachel Maddow Show at 9 p.m. ET was the network’s most-watched program in total viewers and the demo, with an average of 2.039 million viewers and 177,000 viewers, respectively.
• CNN’s Erin Burnett OutFront at 7 p.m. ET was the most-watched program, averaging 610,000 total viewers. CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip at 10 p.m. ET was the network’s most-watched show in the demo, with 127,000 viewers.
• Newsmax – Rob Schmitt Tonight was the net’s top show in total viewers with 412,000 total viewers and tied with Finnerty in the A25-54 demo with 29,000 viewers.
• NewsNation – Cuomo was the net’s top show in total viewers and A25-54. It had 170,000 and 16,000 viewers, respectively. Of note – NewsNation recorded a +24% gain in primetime viewership vs. the same quarter in 2024 and was the No. 1 cable network in both measured categories when it came to year-over-year growth.
• Fox Business – Kudlow remained the net’s top show in total viewers and A25-54. It had 306,000 and 16,000 viewers, respectively. Fox Business finished ahead of CNBC during business day, market day, and total day in total viewers.
• CNBC – Squawk on the Street was the net’s top show in total viewers and A25-54. It had 220,000 and 55,000 viewers, respectively. 

Among Total Viewers 

1. The Five – Fox News ( 3,851,000)
2. Jesse Watters Primetime – Fox News -( 3,431,000)
3. Gutfeld!  – Fox News – (3,009,000)
4. Hannity – Fox News – (3,006,000) 
5. Special Report with Bret Baier – Fox News – (2,888,000)
6. The Ingraham Angle – Fox News  – (2,749,000)
7. The Will Cain Show – Fox News – (2,168,000)
8. Outnumbered – Fox News – (2,045,000)
9. The Rachel Maddow Show – MSNBC – (2,039,000)
10. The Faulkner Focus – Fox News – ( 1,945,000)
11. America’s Newsroom – Fox News – (1,941,000)
12. America Reports – Fox News – (1,938,000)
13. The Story with Martha MacCallum – Fox News – (1,913,00)
14. Fox News at Night – Fox News – (1,682,000)
15. Fox and Friends – Fox – (1,411,000)

Among Adults 25-54 

1. The Five – Fox News –  (410,000)
2. Jesse Watters Primetime – Fox News –  (396,000)
3. Hannity – Fox News – (370,000)
4. Gutfeld! – Fox News –  (360,000)
5. The Ingraham Angle – Fox News – (317,000)
6. Special Report with Bret Baier – Fox News – (314,000)
7. The Will Cain Show – Fox News – (265,000)
8. Fox News at Night – Fox News – (243,000)
9. Outnumbered  – Fox News – (241,000)
10.  America Reports – Fox News – (239,000)
11. The Story – Fox News – (233,000)
12. The Faulkner Focus – Fox News – (222,000)
13.  America’s Newsroom – Fox News – (212,000)
14.  Fox and Friends – Fox – (184,000)
15. The Rachel Maddow Show – MSNBC – (177,000)

2025 Q2 Cable News Ratings  (Nielsen Live+SD data):

PRIMETIME Fox News MSNBC CNN • Total Viewers: 2,663,000 1,008,000 538,000 • A25-54: 304,000 91,000 105,000 TOTAL DAY Fox News MSNBC CNN • Total Viewers: 1,632,000 596,000 406,000 • A25-54: 202,000 57,000 71,000

Q2’25 Cable Ranker by Adweek on Scribd

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