Week of May 19 Cable News Ratings: Memorial Day Eats Into Cable News Viewership

This is TVNewser’s basic cable network ranker and cable news report for the week of May 19, 2025.

All three cable news networks experienced week-to-week declines in total viewers and the advertiser-coveted demo of Adults 25-54 during primetime. Interestingly, all three networks also suffered double-digit drops in the primetime demo.

CNN, however, was the only network to record a gain in either of the measured categories, as it saw an uptick in total viewers during total day.

Of note: these lower numbers occurred during the week leading up to the Memorial Day holiday, suggesting that people spent less time in front of the TV screens.

NETWORKS:

According to Nielsen Live Plus, same-day data for the week of May 19 saw FNC average 2.423 million total viewers and 252,000 A25-54 viewers during primetime. The network was down a respective -3% and -11% in those measured categories relative to the week prior.

During total day, FNC averaged 1.562 million total viewers and 175,000 A25-54 viewers for week-to-week dips of -2% and -5%, respectively.

Fox News remained second in total viewers and third in the demo during primetime among all basic cable networks. In total day, it remained in first position in total viewers and held steady at No. 3 in the demo.

MSNBC’s primetime lineup averaged 789,000 total viewers and 60,000 A25-54 viewers for week-to-week declines of -3% and -10%, respectively.

During total day, MSNBC averaged 525,000 total viewers and 45,000 demo viewers for dips of -1% in the former category and -4% in the latter.

Among all basic cable networks, MSNBC remained fourth in total primetime viewers and dropped from No. 22 to No. 27 in the demo. During total day, it slipped to fourth place in total viewers and dropped from 14th to 18th in the demo, tied with the Discovery Channel.

CNN averaged 386,000 total viewers and 66,000 A25-54 viewers in the demo during primetime for respective declines of -5% and -11% compared to the previous week.

In total day, the network had 345,000 total viewers and 56,000 A25-54 viewers in the demo. That translates to a +1% gain in the former category—again, the only network with any positive momentum—and a dip of -3% in the demo.

In relation to all the cable networks, CNN fell from 12th to 14th place in total viewers and dropped from No. 20 to No. 22 in the demo. During total day, it remained in fifth place in total viewers and fell from No. 9 to No. 12 in the demo. 

When looking at these networks’ performance during the same period a year ago (the week of May 20):

• During primetime, Fox News grew +21% in total viewers and +18% in the demo. During total day, the network saw gains of +19% in total viewers and +15% in the demo.
• MSNBC dropped by -28% in total viewers and -42% in the demo. During total day, the network was down -31% in total viewers and -41% in the demo.
•  In primetime, CNN decreased by -20% in total viewers and -27% in the demo. During total day, it dropped -19% in total viewers and -24% in the demo.

PROGRAMMING:

Fox News held 14 out of the Top 15 spots of the most-watched cable news shows of the week in total viewers, with The Five (3.877 million viewers at 5 p.m. ET) leading the way. MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show (1.949 million viewers at 9 p.m. ET on Monday) was in the No. 11 position.

Jesse Watters Primetime (370,000 viewers at 8 p.m. ET) landed in the top spot on the A25-54 chart. Once again, Fox News occupied 14 out of the Top 15 top spots, with The Rachel Maddow Show (132,000 viewers) occupying No. 15.

Prime Time

Total Day