The top cable news networks saw quarter-to-quarter and year-over-year losses in the opening quarter of 2023. This shouldn’t come as a total surprise considering Q4 2022 featured midterm elections coverage and Q1 2022 Russia’s invasion of Ukraine coverage. It was always going to be tough for Fox News (which had highly-rated election night coverage), MSNBC and CNN to match those Nielsen ratings in Q1 2023.
Despite the drop in cable news viewing, one trend remained the same in Q1 of this year: Fox News Channel is the dominant cable news network in all dayparts (85 quarters and counting), and the most-watched basic cable network in the 24-hour daypart.
ESPN averaged the most adults 25-54 in total day and in primetime.
Fox News Channel
According to live-plus-same-day data from Nielsen for Q1 2023, FNC averaged more than 1.36 million total viewers across the 24-hour day time period (total day), led once again by The Five and more than any other basic cable network. However, the 1.36 million represents a -6% drop from Q4 2022 and a -15% drop from the year-ago quarter (Q1 2022). Additionally, Fox averaged 174,000 adults 25-54 in total day this past quarter, which is -13% from what the network averaged in Q4 ’22, and -39% from Q1 ’22. Fox News ranked No. 3 in total day adults 25-54 in Q1 ’23 behind ESPN and TBS.
Switching dayparts, Fox News averaged 2.09 million total viewers in primetime, led by Tucker Carlson Tonight and No. 1 on all of basic cable. However, the 2.09 million viewer average is -6% from Q4 ’22 and -18% from Q1 ’22. Fox News also averaged 259,000 adults 25-54 in primetime in Q1 2023, No. 4 on basic cable behind ESPN, TBS and TNT, -13% from the prior quarter (Q4 ’22) and -40% from the most recent winter quarter (Q1 ’22).
FNC averaged more total day and primetime viewers than CNN and MSNBC combined.
MSNBC
Speaking of MSNBC, the network averaged 703,000 total viewers in Q1 2023 across the 24-hour day time period, No. 3 on all of basic cable behind Fox News and ESPN. The 703,000 average represents a -7% decline from Q4 ’22 but is only -1% from Q1 of ’22. Additionally, MSNBC ranks No. 18 on basic cable among the total day demo in Q1, averaging 78,000 A25-54 in the 6 a.m.-6 a.m. time period. That represents a -9% from the most recent quarter and a -10% drop off from the year ago quarter.
Moving to MSNBC primetime, the network averaged 1.11 million total viewers, No. 3 on all of basic cable in the daypart. The 1.11 million average represents a -8% loss from the most recent quarter and -8% from the year ago quarter. The network also averaged 111,000 adults 25-54 in primetime, which is No. 27 among all basic cable outlets, -15% from Q4 ’22, and -26% from Q1 ’22.
CNN
CNN had one of its lowest-rated quarters in recent memory as it looks to reorient its news coverage strategy in 2023. The network averaged just 478,000 total viewers across the 24-hour day time period (total day) in Q1 ’23, which places it at No. 4 on basic cable. Not bad. However, the 478,000 is -10% from what the network averaged in Q4 ’22 and -27% from the year ago quarter (Q1 ’22). Additionally, the network averaged 94,000 adults 25-54 in total day in Q1 ’23, which is No. 11 among all basic cable outlets, -14% from what the network averaged in Q4, and -40% from its Q1 2022 average.
In addition to a change in strategy, the lack of major breaking news events in Q1 hurt CNN ratings more than Fox News’ and MSNBC’s.
Moving to primetime, CNN averaged 568,000 total viewers in the daypart, placing it at No. 14 on all of basic cable. The 568,000 average is -12% from Q4 ’22, and -34% from Q1 of the prior year. The network averaged 124,000 adults 25-54 in primetime this past quarter, which is No. 23 among all basic cable outlets, -17% from Q4 ’22, -47% from Q1 2022, and the network’s lowest quarterly average in the primetime demo since 1991.
Q1 2023 cable news ratings, Monday-Sunday (Nielsen live-same-day data):
| PRIME | Fox News | MSNBC | CNN |
|---|---|---|---|
| • Total Viewers: | 2,088,000 | 1,110,000 | 568,000 |
| • A25-54: | 259,000 | 111,000 | 124,000 |
| TOTAL DAY | Fox News | MSNBC | CNN |
|---|---|---|---|
| • Total Viewers: | 1,364,000 | 703,000 | 478,000 |
| • A25-54: | 174,000 | 78,000 | 94,000 |
Lastly, the basic cable network rankers for Q1 2023, sorted by most to fewest average total viewers.