Fox News, MSNBC and CNN were the three-most-watched basic cable networks for the week of June 20 in total day viewing, while Fox also led the charge in primetime.
In fact, the week of June 20 also marked the 71st consecutive week that Fox News averaged more total viewers in total day and in primetime than its cable news competition.
What were the numbers, you ask? Fox News averaged 2.20 million total viewers in primetime this past week, No. 1 on basic cable and less than +1% from what the network averaged during the week of June 13. The network also averaged 310,000 adults 25-54 in primetime, No. 2 on basic cable behind ESPN and -2% from the week prior. Moving to total day, Fox News’ 1.42 million total viewer average is No. 1 on basic cable and +4% from the network posted in the daypart the previous week. FNC also averaged 214,000 adults 25-54 in total day, No. 1 on basic cable and +2% with the prior week.
MSNBC ranked No. 2 on basic cable last week with a 1.46 million total primetime viewer average. That’s +3% from what the network averaged in the daypart the previous week. MSNBC also averaged 163,000 adults 25-54 in primetime, No. 14 on basic cable and +9% from the prior week. In total day, the network averaged 899,000 total viewers in total day this past week, No. 2 on basic cable and +2% from the prior week. MSNBC also averaged 106,000 adults 25-54 in total day, which is +6% from the prior week and No. 12 overall on basic cable.
CNN gained back some viewers after what was a rough ratings week of June 13. For the week of June 20, CNN hauled in an average of 657,000 total viewers in primetime last week, up +30% from the week prior. CNN’s A25-54 viewership in primetime (133,000) was also up from the prior week (+13%), but still down from what MSNBC averaged. In total day, CNN gained +32% in total viewers (570,000) and beat MSNBC in the key demo (116,000, +27% week-to-week).
How did cable news’ “big three” fare relative to the same week in 2021? (Week of June 21). Fox News gained +1% in average total primetime viewers but lost -6% in the primetime demo. The story in the 6 a.m.-6 a.m. total day daypart remains more positive, with the network gaining a solid +14% in total day viewers and +5% in the total day demo. MSNBC gained +7% in total primetime viewers, but shed -10% in the primetime demo, +13% in total day viewers and -3% in the total day demo relative to the year-ago week. CNN posted week-to-week gains but week-over-week losses. The network shed -23% in average total primetime viewers, -34% in the primetime demo, -13% in total day viewers and -23% in the total day demo vs. the year-ago week.
Week of June 20 cable news ratings, Monday-Sunday (Nielsen live-same-day data):
| PRIME TIME | Fox News | MSNBC | CNN |
|---|---|---|---|
| • Total Viewers: | 2,201,000 | 1,459,000 | 657,000 |
| • A25-54: | 310,000 | 163,000 | 133,000 |
| TOTAL DAY | Fox News | MSNBC | CNN |
|---|---|---|---|
| • Total Viewers: | 1,421,000 | 899,000 | 570,000 |
| • A25-54: | 214,000 | 106,000 | 116,000 |
On the cable news programming front, Fox News’ The Five was the most-watched show of the week (3.13 million at 5 p.m.) and the second-most-watched among adults 25-54 (425,000) at 8 p.m. Tucker Carlson Tonight came in second in total viewers (3 million at 8 p.m.) and No. 1 among adults 25-54 (462,000). Jesse Watters Primetime took third place in average total viewers (2.63 million at 7 p.m.), Hannity is fourth in total viewers with 2.555 million at 9 p.m., and Special Report with Bret Baier at No. 5 (2.3 million viewers at 6 p.m.). The Ingraham Angle (2.1 million at 10 p.m.), The Rachel Maddow Show (2.06 at 9 p.m.), Gutfeld! (2.01 million at 11 p.m.), Outnumbered (1.91 million at 12 p.m.) and The Faulkner Focus (1.76 million at 11 a.m.) round out cable news’ 10-most-watched for the week.
After Tucker Carlson Tonight and The Five, Hannity (379,000), Gutfeld! (341,000), The Ingraham Angle (319,000), Special Report with Bret Baier (314,000), Jesse Watters Primetime (307,000) , Outnumbered (260,000), America Reports (237,000) and Rachel Maddow Show (227,000) round out cable news’ top 10 for the week among adults 25-54.
Additionally, below are the weekly basic cable network rankers. The first is sorted most to fewest total viewers and the second is sorted by most to fewest adults 25-54.