Cable news ratings remain one of the most closely watched barometers of American media influence. As audiences increasingly divide their attention between traditional TV and digital platforms, the big three networks—Fox News, MSNBC, and CNN—continue to battle for dominance on cable television. Looking at the most recent data from September 2025, clear trends have emerged in viewership, demographics, and long-term performance.
Fox News: The Ratings Leader
For years, Fox News has dominated cable news ratings, and 2025 is no exception. According to recent Nielsen data, Fox News averaged 1.97 million total viewers in primetime during the week of September 1, 2025, far surpassing its competitors. The network also held strong in the coveted adults 25-54 demographic, drawing about 164,000 viewers.
In total-day ratings, Fox News pulled in around 1.29 million viewers, with 118,000 in the demo, giving it a commanding lead across the board. The network has also achieved milestones in 2025, recording its highest-rated quarter in cable news history, even outperforming several broadcast networks during primetime.
This continued success reflects Fox’s loyal base and strong lineup of opinion and news programs, which consistently deliver both audience size and demographic strength.
MSNBC: A Solid Second Place in Viewership
MSNBC holds steady as the second most-watched cable news network in total viewers, though it trails far behind Fox. In primetime, MSNBC averaged 666,000 viewers for the week of September 1, 2025. However, the network struggled with younger viewers, attracting just 58,000 in the 25-54 demo.
Across the total day, MSNBC averaged about 466,000 total viewers and 37,000 in the demo, numbers that highlight a challenge: while MSNBC appeals to a dedicated audience, it often lags behind both Fox and CNN in advertiser-preferred demographics.
Nonetheless, MSNBC maintains its niche with in-depth political analysis and commentary, keeping it a key player in the news cycle—particularly among older, left-leaning viewers.
CNN: Still Fighting for Relevance
Once the undisputed leader in breaking news coverage, CNN has struggled to regain its footing in recent years. In September 2025, CNN averaged 451,000 primetime viewers, ranking third in total audience. Interestingly, CNN did slightly better than MSNBC in the 25-54 demo during primetime, attracting 62,000 viewers, though the margin was small.
In total-day ratings, CNN posted 366,000 viewers with 54,000 in the demo, once again highlighting its difficulty competing with Fox’s massive reach. While CNN continues to brand itself as a global news leader, it faces tough competition in both traditional TV and the rapidly growing digital news space.
The Bigger Picture: Shifts in Cable News Consumption
The data underscores a clear pattern: Fox News remains far ahead, while MSNBC and CNN battle for distant second place. However, the larger trend may be even more significant—audiences are shrinking across cable news overall, especially among younger viewers who are turning to streaming services, YouTube, and social media for their news consumption.
Advertisers are keenly focused on the 25-54 demographic, and here all three networks face challenges. While Fox leads in total viewers, its demo numbers—though higher than rivals—are far smaller than cable audiences of a decade ago. Both CNN and MSNBC continue to struggle to attract the younger demographic that advertisers value most.
Conclusion
In 2025, cable news remains a critical force in American media, but the landscape is shifting. Fox News dominates, securing both total viewership and demo leadership. MSNBC stays relevant as the second-most-watched network in overall viewers, though it struggles in key demos. CNN lags in audience size but occasionally competes with MSNBC among younger viewers.
As traditional television viewership declines, the future of cable news will likely depend on how these networks adapt to digital platforms while still maintaining their loyal TV audiences. One thing is clear: in the cable ratings race, Fox News continues to set the pace