Fox News Channel was the most-watched basic cable channel both in total day (1.46 million total viewers) and in prime time (2.49 million total viewers) during the third quarter of 2021. Q3 now stands as the network’s highest-rated quarter of the year in both total viewers and the coveted 25-54 demo. (TVNewser)
MSNBC finished No. 2 across all of basic cable in average total prime-time viewers (1.27 million) and No. 2 in average total day viewers (738,000). While MSNBC’s standing as one of cable’s most-watched networks remains impressive, its Nielsen ratings in 2021 are trending in a poor direction, especially when it comes to younger viewers. (TVNewser)
CNN averaged 822,000 total viewers in prime time (No. 8 on basic cable), a 10 percent loss from Q2. The network also averaged 598,000 viewers in total day (No. 4 on basic cable), a 9 percent loss from Q2. And the network averaged 188,000 adults 25-54 in prime time and 130,000 adults 25-54 in total day. (TVNewser)
Fox News’ 8 p.m. offering Tucker Carlson Tonight was the No. 1 cable news show for the third quarter of 2021, not just in average total audience (3.24 million), but also among adults 25-54 (549,000). The show improved by 11 percent in total viewers and 13 percent in the adults 25-54 demo from Q2. (TVNewser)