For the first time since 2001, CNN has won four weeks in a row in the all-important A25-54 demo, which is how news networks and news programs sell their advertising.
CNN has now topped Fox News and MSNBC in Total Day and Prime Time in the demo going back to the week of Sept. 26, which saw the first presidential debate. The last time CNN won four weeks in a row in total day was the weeks of Nov. 12, 19, 16 and Dec. 3, 2001. The last time it happened in prime time was the weeks of Oct. 1, 8, 15 and 22, 2001. Not long after those streaks, in January 2002, Fox News became the most-watched cable news network, and has been since.
Fox News remains the most-watched network among total audience. In fact, FNC marked 10 weeks straight as the most-watched basic cable network in total day viewing. But the CNN demo win indicates the network’s massive investment (in time and money) in covering the 2016 election is paying off in viewership.
- Week of Oct. 17, 2016 | Total Viewers / A25-54 demo (Total Day)
CNN 1.087M / 360,000
FNC 1.570M / 345,000
MSNBC 960,000 / 243,000
- Week of Oct. 17, 2016 | Total Viewers / A25-54 demo (Total Day)
CNN 2.222M / 813,000
FNC 3.305M / 755,000
MSNBC 1.848M / 484,000