The landscape of cable news has shifted dramatically in 2025, marking a stark contrast to the ratings highs during Donald Trump’s first term in 2017. While liberal networks struggled to maintain their footing, Fox News surged ahead, asserting its dominance in the rankings.
Last year, Fox News averaged a prime-time audience of 2.76 million viewers, reflecting an impressive 11 percent increase. In contrast, MSNBC—now branded as MS NOW—saw a significant decline, with viewership plummeting 27 percent to an average of 945,000. CNN also faced challenges, experiencing a 16 percent drop in its audience, bringing it down to 594,000.
Clay Travis, founder of Outkick, highlighted this trend on the social media platform X. He pointed out, “Interesting that MSNBC and CNN both saw viewership tank in the first year of Trump 2.0. Huge change from Trump 1.0 when he sent their ratings soaring. Meanwhile, Fox News grew by double digits.” This observation encapsulates a critical shift in viewer engagement, showing that the political climate plays a significant role in shaping cable news dynamics.
Back in 2017, MSNBC celebrated its highest ratings ever, gaining over half a million viewers compared to the previous year. It averaged 1.63 million in prime time and was a fierce competitor, trailing only behind Fox News and ESPN. Rachel Maddow’s show was particularly impactful, pulling in an impressive 2.55 million viewers. Fast forward to 2025, Maddow remained the most-watched on her network, but her audience had dwindled to 1.8 million.
CNN, which also boasted strong performance records in 2017, reported its second most-watched year since 2008. The network managed to capture 76 million total viewers, surpassing Fox News and MSNBC in various demographic categories. However, these highs have not translated into sustained success.
Today, Fox News stands out as the leader, not only in total audience but in the number of top-rated programs. The network reported it concluded 2025 with the highest ratings for a non-election year in its history, featuring the top 12 most-watched shows on cable. “The Five,” for instance, achieved its best performance ever with 4.1 million viewers, leading the way for Fox.
Additionally, other key programs such as “Jesse Watters Primetime,” “Hannity,” and “The Ingraham Angle” all reflected double-digit growth compared to previous years, underscoring Fox’s ability to connect with its audience and expand its reach.
As the political narrative evolves, so too do the fortunes of these cable networks. The current ratings indicate not only viewer preferences but also highlight a considerable shift in the political climate that significantly impacts airwaves. The contrasting fortunes between Fox News and its liberal counterparts raise questions about how closely audience engagement aligns with political events and their representations in media.
"*" indicates required fields
