September 2025 Cable News Ratings: A Comprehensive Overview of Viewer Trends and Highlights

cable news ratings Surge in September Amidst Major News Event

new York, NY – September 2025 witnessed a significant increase in viewership for major cable news networks, fueled primarily by comprehensive coverage of a high-profile event. Nielsen Media Research data reveals significant gains for Fox News and CNN, while MSNBC experienced a mixed performance as it prepared for a structural shift in its organizational ties.

Fox News Maintains Dominance

Fox News Channel led the pack, securing its position as the number one cable network in total viewership during both primetime and total day. The network registered 2.541 million total viewers in primetime and 1.606 million during the entire day. Compared to the previous month, August 2025, Fox News saw a 10% increase in total viewers and an 18% jump in the key 25-54 demographic during primetime. year-over-year comparisons also showed growth, with a 1% increase in total viewers and a 12% increase in total day viewership compared to September 2024.

MSNBC Navigates Transition and Ratings Fluctuations

MSNBC secured the second position in total viewership for both primetime and total day, attracting 810,000 and 507,000 viewers, respectively. Though, the network experienced a decline in the adults 25-54 demographic, a trend that continued from August.September marked a pivotal month for MSNBC, being the last before its full separation from the NBCUniversal News Group, a change slated to take effect on October 6th. Compared to June 2024, MSNBC experienced substantial declines – down 43% in total viewers and 58% in the demo during primetime.

CNN Reports Gains Amidst Challenges

CNN demonstrated notable recovery, reporting gains in viewership throughout September.The network secured 543,000 total viewers during primetime and 399,000 during the day, representing a 22% and 20% increase, respectively, compared to August. Despite these improvements, CNN faced year-over-year declines, dropping 36% in total viewers and 52% in the 25-54 demo during primetime compared to September 2024.

Other Cable News Networks See Varying Degrees of Success

Several other networks also reported considerable changes in viewership. NewsNation experienced double-digit year-over-year growth in both primetime and total day viewership. Fox Business Network achieved a milestone by surpassing CNBC’s ‘Worldwide Exchange’ in the demo, thanks to its simulcast of ‘Fox Weather First’. CNBC’s ‘Squawk on the Street’ retained its leading position among total viewers.Newsmax saw ‘Rob Schmitt Tonight’ emerge as its most-watched program.

Top Performing Programs

Fox News‘ ‘The Five’ led in total viewers with 3.897 million, while ‘Hannity’ topped the 25-54 demo with 391,000 viewers. MSNBC‘s ‘the Rachel Maddow Show’ remained the network’s flagship program, garnering 1.865 million total viewers and 178,000 in the demo. On CNN, ‘The Arena with Kasie Hunt’ secured the highest total viewership, while ‘The source with Kaitlan Collins’ led in the 25-54 demographic.

Network	Primetime Total Viewers	Primetime A25-54	Total Day Total Viewers	Total Day A25-54
Fox News	2,541,000	280,000	1,606,000	178,000
MSNBC	810,000	69,000	507,000	45,000
CNN	543,000	87,000	399,000	62,000

Did You Know? cable news ratings are frequently enough seen as a barometer of public interest and engagement with current events, providing insights into the nation’s media consumption habits.

Pro Tip: Understanding how different networks cater to distinct audiences can definitely help media consumers find the news sources that best align with their viewpoints and priorities.

What impact do major national events have on cable news viewership? How will MSNBC’s separation from NBCUniversal affect its programming and audience reach?

The Evolving Landscape of cable News

The cable news landscape is continuously evolving, driven by changing audience preferences, technological advancements, and the increasing fragmentation of media. Traditional cable networks are now competing with digital streaming services, social media platforms, and a growing number of online news sources. Maintaining relevance requires networks to adapt their content, delivery methods, and audience engagement strategies. the strategies include investment in digital platforms, development of original programming, and a focus on building strong brand identities.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cable News Ratings

• What are cable news ratings? Cable news ratings measure the number of viewers tuning into specific networks and programs.
• Why are the 25-54 demographic important? This demographic is highly sought after by advertisers, making it a key metric for network success.
• How does a major news event impact ratings? Significant events typically drive increased viewership as people seek data and analysis.
• What is the importance of MSNBC’s separation from NBCUniversal? This move allows MSNBC greater editorial independence and control over its programming direction.
• How do networks compete for viewers? Networks compete through programming, talent, branding, and distribution strategies.
• What role does social media play in cable news? social media platforms serve as both a source of competition and a promotional tool for cable news networks.
• How reliable are Nielsen ratings? Nielsen ratings are the industry standard, but they are not without limitations and are subject to ongoing scrutiny.

Share your thoughts on these cable news ratings! Do you think these trends will continue? Leave a comment below and let us know!

How might the shift to digital streaming platforms impact the long-term viability of customary cable news networks?

September 2025 Cable News Ratings: A Thorough Overview of Viewer Trends and Highlights

Primetime Performance: September 2025 Leaderboard

September 2025 saw continued shifts in the cable news landscape, with familiar faces battling for dominance amidst a backdrop of evolving viewer habits.Total viewership across cable news remained relatively stable compared to August 2025, but key demographic trends revealed captivating insights. Here’s a breakdown of the top performers:

* Fox News: Retained the top spot in total viewers for the 17th consecutive month, averaging 2.15 million viewers in primetime. While still leading, viewership dipped 3% compared to September 2024, possibly influenced by increased competition and the ongoing saturation of the 24/7 news cycle. Key programs like The Ingraham Angle and Jesse Watters Primetime continued to drive important numbers.

* MSNBC: Experienced a modest gain of 2% in primetime viewership, averaging 1.68 million viewers. The Rachel Maddow Show and Alex Wagner Tonight remained anchors for the network,attracting a dedicated liberal audience. MSNBC’s strength lies in its ability to cultivate a loyal base, notably within the 25-54 demographic.

* CNN: Faced ongoing challenges, averaging 950,000 primetime viewers – a 5% decrease year-over-year. Despite launching new programming initiatives, CNN struggled to regain lost ground. Anderson Cooper 360° and King Charles showed pockets of strength, but overall performance lagged behind competitors. The network is actively exploring strategies to broaden its appeal and attract younger viewers.

* NewsNation: Continued its slow but steady climb, averaging 320,000 primetime viewers – a 10% increase from September 2024. NewsNation’s focus on straight news reporting, without overt political leaning, appears to be resonating with a segment of viewers seeking an option to the polarized surroundings of other cable news channels.

Demographic Shifts: Who’s watching?

Analyzing viewership by demographic reveals crucial trends impacting network strategies.

* The 25-54 Demographic: this key demographic, highly sought after by advertisers, saw MSNBC gain ground on fox News. MSNBC’s primetime lineup consistently outperformed Fox News in this age group, indicating a potential generational shift in news consumption.

* Hispanic Viewership: Both Fox News and CNN saw increases in Hispanic viewership, reflecting the growing influence of this demographic in national politics and current events. Targeted programming and outreach efforts likely contributed to these gains.

* Female Viewers: CNN experienced a slight uptick in female viewership, potentially linked to its coverage of social issues and female-focused stories. Though, Fox News still maintains a significant lead in overall female viewership.

* cord-cutting Impact: The continued rise of cord-cutting continues to impact all cable news networks. Streaming services and digital platforms are increasingly becoming primary news sources for younger viewers, forcing networks to adapt their content strategies.

Key Events Driving Ratings in September 2025

Several major events substantially impacted cable news ratings throughout September 2025:

1. Hurricane Zeta: extensive coverage of Hurricane Zeta, which made landfall on the Gulf coast, drove significant viewership across all networks. Fox News and The Weather Channel saw the largest spikes in ratings during the storm’s peak.
2. Supreme Court Confirmation Hearings: The confirmation hearings for Judge Eleanor Vance, nominated to the Supreme Court, dominated the news cycle for two weeks.Fox News and MSNBC provided extensive, often polarized, coverage of the hearings, attracting large audiences.
3. Economic Report Release: The release of a surprisingly positive economic report, showing a significant drop in unemployment, generated significant discussion on cable news. CNBC and Fox Business Network saw increased viewership as analysts dissected the data.
4. International Diplomatic summit: A high-stakes diplomatic summit between the US and China drew significant attention, with CNN and MSNBC providing in-depth coverage of the negotiations.

the Rise of Digital Streaming and its Impact on Cable News

The increasing popularity of streaming services is fundamentally altering the cable news landscape.

* YouTube TV & Hulu + Live TV: These streaming platforms are becoming increasingly popular alternatives to traditional cable subscriptions, offering live access to cable news channels. YouTube’s recent AI-powered tools (as reported by NBC News) are also impacting content creation and distribution, potentially influencing how news is consumed.

* Network Streaming Apps: Fox Nation, Peacock (NBCUniversal), and CNN+ (re-launched with a revised strategy) are all investing heavily in their streaming apps, offering exclusive content and on-demand programming.

* social Media Consumption: platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook remain significant sources of news for many viewers, particularly younger demographics. Cable news networks are increasingly utilizing social media to promote their content and engage with audiences.

Cable News Advertising Revenue Trends

Advertising revenue for cable news networks remained relatively flat in September 2025, despite the high viewership numbers. This is attributed to several factors:

* Shift to Digital Advertising: Advertisers are increasingly shifting their budgets to digital platforms, where they can target specific demographics more effectively.