Fox News Leads In October, But CNN And MSNBC Gain Year-Over-Year Viewers In Month Dominated By Israel-Gaza Coverage

Ted Johnson
·2 min read

Fox News again topped all the cable news networks in October, but only CNN and MSNBC gained viewers versus last year, as Israel-Gaza coverage and the House Speaker upheaval dominated the news cycle.

In primetime, Fox News averaged 2.12 million viewers, down 7% from October 2022. MSNBC drew 1.33 million, up 12%, and CNN posted 722,000, an increase of 16%. In the 25-54 demo, Fox News averaged 256,000, off by 13%, while CNN averaged 167,000, up 25%, and MSNBC posted 132,000, up 16%.

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In total day, Fox News averaged 1.36 million, down 8%, followed by MSNBC with 895,000, up 19%, and CNN with 600,000, an increase of 12%. In the adults 25-54 demo, Fox News averaged 174,000, down 15%, while CNN posted 124,000, up 17%, and MSNBC was at 98,000, up 23%.

The ratings figures are from Nielsen via Fox News.

Fox News’ The Five was once again the most viewed cable news show, drawing 3 million viewers, followed by Jesse Watters Primetime with 2.58 million, Hannity with 2.41 million, Special Report with 2.21 million and The Ingraham Angle with 2.17 million.

In adults 25-54, The Five averaged 316,000, followed by Hannity with 300,000, Gutfeld! with 292,000, Jesse Watters Primetime with 270,000 and The Ingraham Angle with 244,000.

The Rachel Maddow Show, which airs on Mondays, averaged 2.5 million viewers, per MSNBC.

With a heavy cycle of breaking news, each of the networks touted relative wins. Fox News noted its primetime viewership was more than CNN and MSNBC combined. MSNBC cited its audience gains in total day viewers, while CNN said that its total day viewership was its best since March 2022, and that it had the largest percentage growth month-to-month versus its rivals.

NewsNation, meanwhile, said that it averaged 118,000 viewers in weekday primetime, up 23% versus last year, and 22,000 in the 25-54 demo, up 38%. The network also said that the final week of the month was its highest-rated week ever in total day, averaging 67,000 viewers and 13,000 in the 25-54 demo.

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