MSNBC has solidified its position as a dominant player in cable news, significantly widening its audience lead over CNN during July. The network attracted an impressive average of 1.1 million viewers during the weekday prime-time slot from 8 to 11 p.m., more than double CNN’s 549,000 viewers. Additionally, MSNBC maintained its lead in total-day viewership, averaging 530,000 versus CNN’s 370,000, marking the 40th consecutive month of outpacing its competitor, based on Nielsen data.
Despite typically lower summer viewership, audiences remained highly engaged with MSNBC, with the average viewer dedicating nearly eight hours a week to its programming—nearly double that of CNN viewers. Year-over-year comparisons reveal a staggering 47 percent increase in total-day viewership for MSNBC, the highest growth rate among major cable news networks.
In July, MSNBC ranked as the second most-watched cable network, surpassing even ESPN and CNN, and was the leading network among Black viewers, while also ranking well with Hispanic and Asian-American audiences. MSNBC continues to be the most-watched cable channel in Washington, D.C., for the second month running.
Over the past decade, MSNBC has remarkably doubled its total audience, even amidst a 33 percent decline in U.S. pay television households. Year-to-date figures illustrate a 101 percent increase in prime-time viewers and an 81 percent boost in total-day viewers compared to 2015, while CNN’s audience has seen a slight drop of 8 percent.
New weekday programs featuring key personalities like Jen Psaki and Ali Vitali have also contributed to this growth, with “The Briefing with Jen Psaki” and “The Weeknight” seeing gains of 19 percent and 23 percent, respectively, since their launch in May. Programs hosted by Rachel Maddow, Nicolle Wallace, and Stephanie Ruhle have consistently outperformed their CNN counterparts, with “The Rachel Maddow Show” achieving more than quadruple the viewership of CNN during its timeslot.
Morning shows have thrived as well, with “Morning Joe” almost doubling CNN’s viewership and retaining its status as the most-watched cable program in Washington for five consecutive months. Additionally, programs aired during weekends have displayed solid growth, illustrating sustainable interest in MSNBC’s diverse offerings.
As Comcast prepares to spin off MSNBC and other NBC-owned networks into a new entity called Versant, which will include CNBC, the outlook remains positive for the network’s continued success in the competitive landscape of cable news.
This overall performance offers an encouraging perspective on audience engagement and preference shifting in the cable news industry, reflecting a significant shift toward MSNBC’s programming.