CNN’s primetime programming had its lowest-rated week in more than a year last week, averaging 385,000 total viewers and 95,000 A25-54 viewers. It was CNN’s lowest ratings in primetime since August 6, 2012, before Jeff Zucker took over the network.
By comparison, Fox News averaged 2,367,000 total viewers and 377,000 A25-54 viewers and MSNBC averaged 683,000 and 150,000, respectively, in primetime. Although CNN topped MSNBC for the second quarter of this year, the network has struggled of late, finishing third in both primetime and total day for October.
Last week was a busy news week, with HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius‘ testimony on the Obamacare rollout and Friday’s shooting at LAX. During the 1pmET to 4pmET hours on Friday, Fox News was the dominant cable news channel, averaging 1,549,000 total viewers and 292,000 A25-54 viewers. CNN was next with 807,000 total viewers and 233,000 A25-54 viewers and MSNBC had 409,000 and 86,000 viewers, respectively. Compared to the Q3 2013 averages for the same time period, Fox News and CNN were up double digits across the board, while MSNBC was up in total viewers and down in the A25-54 demo.