CNN’s Ratings Reach 33-Year Lows After Nearly A Decade Attacking Trump

The Cable News Network is still trying to figure out how to get people to watch their shows.

In a landscape where competition for viewers is more cutthroat than ever, new data showed that CNN’s ratings have plummeted to a 33-year low, marking a significant downturn for the network that for nearly a decade, has positioned itself as a critical voice against former President Donald Trump.

The decline is juxtaposed against Fox News, which has surged ahead, solidifying its position as the leading cable news outlet. Fox News’ triumph in the first quarter of 2024 was undeniable, with an average primetime viewership of two million from 7-11 p.m. ET, towering over MSNBC’s 1.2 million and CNN’s mere 606,000 average viewers.

The achievement extended Fox News’ reign as the most-watched cable news outlet during primetime to the 89th consecutive quarter, a streak that dates back to the early 2000s. The network’s success is bolstered by popular programs such as “The Ingraham Angle,” “Jesse Watters Primetime,” “Hannity,” and “Gutfeld!”

In comparison, CNN’s struggle was evident not only in its viewership numbers but also in its performance within the coveted 25-54 age demographic, where it recorded its lowest-rated quarter since at least 1991.

TV RATINGS: Fox News easily beat CNN and MSNBC viewership combined during the first quarter of 2024.

CNN hit an embarrassing 33-year low in the quarter.

Fox News averaged 2 million viewers during primetime to finish No. 1 in cable, while MSNBC managed 1.2 million and CNN… pic.twitter.com/3gPxCPckXf

— TV News Now (@TVNewsNow) April 2, 2024

Such a downturn signals a critical evaluation period for CNN, which must reassess its approach and content strategy in the face of declining viewer interest and engagement. In January, their prime-time viewership was surpassed by the History Channel and INSP, a network primarily known for Western TV shows and films.

Earlier in the year, Nielsen data revealed that CNN averaged only 538,000 nightly viewers in their prime time slot, placing it behind several other networks. The decline occurred despite CNN’s coverage of significant political events like the Iowa caucuses.

In February, CNN revamped its morning programming, including a major change to “CNN This Morning,” as part of a strategy by new CEO Mark Thompson to boost ratings.

The show moved its broadcasting to Washington, DC, instead of New York, with Kasie Hunt as the anchor. Thompson also informed staff that the changes would result in the cessation of morning programming production in New York, leading to the disbandment of the team currently behind “CNN This Morning” in the city.

“What we are announcing today is a change in strategic direction and not a reflection on the talent, expertise and dedication of the New York based editorial production and operations teams who’ve worked on our morning output – they’re among the best in the business,” wrote Thompson in a memo to CNN staffers.

“We will be strongly encouraging them to apply for the many new open roles that we are making available this week in Atlanta and Washington, DC, along with a number of other open roles in New York in other programming blocks.”

Licht, recognized for his successful morning show endeavors at MSNBC and CBS, had prioritized the launch of “CNN This Morning” as his initial programming move at CNN.