The last three months of the year belonged to MS NOW (formerly MSNBC), as it was the only cable news network to experience across-the-board growth in primetime and total day.
The network, which changed its name in November, led the quarter with double-digit growth in total viewers and the advertiser-coveted Adults 25-54 demo.
Fox News still finished as the most-watched cable news network, but it was the only network not to grow in the quarter in both measured categories across the two featured dayparts.
Fox News Channel
According to Nielsen big data + panel, Fox News averaged 2.070 million total primetime viewers and 190,000 Adults 25-54 viewers in Q4 2025. During total day, Fox News had 1.382 million total viewers and 126,000 demo viewers.
Compared to the third quarter, Fox News was down -17% in total viewers and -22% in the demo during primetime. When looking at total day, it was down by -12% and -21% in total viewers and the demo, respectively—the only cable news network to record double-digit declines.
Fox News finished the quarter in second place among all cable networks during primetime in total viewers and ranked No. 3 in the demo. However, during total day, Fox News was again on top in total viewers and finished in second place in the demo.
MSNBC
During Q4 2025, MS NOW averaged 883,000 total primetime viewers and 78,000 primetime demo viewers. During total day, MS NOW had 560,000 total viewers and 49,000 A25-54 viewers.
When looking at MS NOW’s performance vs. the third quarter in 2025, it was up in total viewers and the demo by +10% and +18%, respectively, during primetime. During total day, the network was also up +14% in total viewers and +20% in the demo.
MS NOW remained in third place in total viewers and climbed to No. 19 from No. 20 in the demo. During total day, MS NOW continued to be in third place in total viewers and dropped to 16th from 14th in the demo.
CNN
CNN averaged 519,000 total primetime viewers and 83,000 primetime demo viewers in Q4 2025. During total day, the network had 406,000 total viewers and 61,000 A25-54 viewers.
Compared with the third quarter, CNN was down -4% in total viewers and -5% in the demo in primetime. However, when looking at how it performed during total day, it was up +3% in total viewers and flat in the demo.
CNN dropped to seventh place from fifth place during primetime with total viewers and tied for 15th in the demo with Bravo and Comedy Central. During total day, CNN remained in the No. 4 spot in total viewers and dropped two places to eighth place in the demo, tied with the Food Network.
About the Author
