As usual, Fox News Channel was the top cable news network in total viewers and adults 25-54 for the week of January 16, 2023, finishing substantially ahead of its MSNBC and CNN competition.
According to live plus same day data from Nielsen, Fox News placed second overall in total primetime viewers among ad-supported basic cable networks, behind ESPN, averaging two million total viewers. FNC placed fourth overall in A25-54 among ad-supported basic cable outlets, behind ESPN, TNT, and TBS, with 256,000 viewers from the measurement. In total day FNC placed No. 1 overall in total viewers, averaging 1.39 million, and placed second in A25-54 viewers (behind ESPN), averaging 176,000.
Compared to the previous week, Fox News fell by -10% in total primetime viewers, -4% in primetime A25-54 viewers, -6% in total day viewers and -4% in total day A25-54 viewers. Compared to the year-ago week, Fox News is -18% in total primetime viewers, -28% in primetime A25-54 viewers, -8% in total day viewers and -28% in total day A25-54 viewers.
MSNBC placed third in primetime among ad-supported cablers but with only 943,000 total viewers on average. The network has, in recent years, averaged more than a million primetime viewers on non-holiday weeks. The network placed third in total day viewers with 629,000 viewers. In Adults 25-54, MSNBC placed 31st in primetime (tied w/ E!, Paramount) with a 91,000 average and 23rd in total day with a 69,000 average.
Compared to the previous week, MSNBC shed -7% in total primetime viewers, -7% in primetime A25-54 viewers, -5% in total day viewers and actually gained +3% in total day A25-54 viewers. Compared to the year-ago week, MSNBC is -21% in total primetime viewers, -32% in primetime A25-54 viewers, -6% in total day viewers and -12% in total day A25-54 viewers.
CNN placed 18th in total primetime viewers with a paltry 444,000 viewers on average, and sixth in total day with 417,000 . In Adults 25-54, CNN placed 29th in primetime with 93,000 on average, and 15th in total day with 80,000 on average. The 80,000 A25-54 average in total day represents the network’s smallest delivery since 2014.
Compared to the previous week, CNN shed -14% in total primetime viewers, -18% in primetime A25-54 viewers, -7% in total day viewers and -9% in total day A25-54 viewers. Compared to the year-ago week, CNN is -23% in total primetime viewers, -28% in primetime A25-54 viewers, -12% in total day viewers and -17% in total day A25-54 viewers.
The network’s morning show, CNN This Morning, experienced its lowest-rated week since launch, not exactly helping matters. Monday, Jan. 16 being a federal holiday (MLK Jr. Day) compounded with NFL Playoffs over the weekend also negatively impacted cable news viewing, not just for CNN but also for the competition.
Week of Jan. 16, 2023 cable news ratings, Monday-Sunday (Nielsen live-same-day data):
| PRIME | Fox News | MSNBC | CNN |
|---|---|---|---|
| • Total Viewers: | 1,996,000 | 943,000 | 444,000 |
| • A25-54: | 256,000 | 91,000 | 93,000 |
| TOTAL DAY | Fox News | MSNBC | CNN |
|---|---|---|---|
| • Total Viewers: | 1,387,000 | 629,000 | 417,000 |
| • A25-54: | 176,000 | 69,000 | 80,000 |
The ad-supported basic cable rankers are below.