Russia’s invasion of Ukraine dominated the news headlines during the week of Feb. 21. All news telecasts spiked in the audience, both on the broadcast and cable platforms.
On Feb. 23, the Big-3 networks broke in to original programming during the 10 p.m. ET hour (5 a.m. In Ukraine) to first report on the invasion. NBC, thanks to its popular “Chicago P.D.” series, led the pack 5.54 million viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research. ABC was next at 3.07 million, followed by CBS 2.08 million.
The Thursday, Feb. 24 and Sunday morning Feb. 27 editions of the broadcast networks’ signature news programs also rose with significance:
• ABC’s “Good Morning America” (3.66 million, +12 percent from one week earlier on 2/17/22), “World News Tonight” (9.68 million, +6 percent) and “This Week” (3.39 million, +18 percent from one week earlier on 2/20/22)
• NBC’s “Today” (3.35 million, +5 percent), “NBC Nightly News” (8.32 million, +15 percent) and “Meet the Press” (3.13 million, +23 percent)
• CBS’ “CBS Mornings” (2.62 million, +11 percent), “CBS Evening News“ (5.80 million, +2 percent) and “Face the Nation” (3.17 million, +9 percent)
• Fox’s “Fox News Sunday” (1.33 million, +23 percent)
Starting from late night on Feb. 23, the major cable news outlets have seen a big uptick with their coverage from Ukraine. Percentage-wise, CNN — which has languished in third place among cable news in total viewers for the past twelve months overall — was the largest beneficiary, jumping up 130 percent in total viewership and up 268 percent among adults 25-54, from the week prior (this week’s network averages listed below). That vaulted CNN to be cable’s No. 2 most-watched network, behind the leading Fox News. Both FNC and MSNBC also respectively rose at the same rate: 41 percent in total viewers and approximately 90 percent in adults 25-54.
The war also has had an immediate effect on the price of gasoline which has risen considerably. Business channel shows had also increased in ratings on Feb. 24. CNBC’s midday “Power Lunch”, which averaged 300,000 viewers for Feb. 22-25, drew 371,000 viewers from 2-3 p.m. ET. Fox Business Network’s morning program “Varney & Company”, which averaged 261,000 viewers for Feb. 21-25, drew 345,000 viewers from 9 a.m. to noon ET.
And, the Feb. 25 edition of HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher” posted its most-watched Friday night telecast since Oct. 1, 2021.
Cable news averages for February 21-27, 2022:
Total Day (February 21-27 @ 6 a.m.-5:59 a.m.)
- Fox News Channel: 2.186 million viewers; 453,000 adults 25-54
- CNN: 1.113 million viewers; 331,000 adults 25-54
- MSNBC: 0.935 million viewers; 132,000 adults 25-54
- HLN: 0.219 million viewers; 74,000 adults 25-54
- Newsmax: 0.181 million viewers; 31,000 adults 25-54
- CNBC: 0.146 million viewers; 38,000 adults 25-54
- The Weather Channel: 0.123 million viewers; 23,000 adults 25-54
- Fox Business Network: 0.107 million viewers; 13,000 adults 25-54
Prime Time (February 21-26 @ 8-11 p.m.; February 27 @ 7-11 p.m.)
- Fox News Channel: 3.177 million viewers; 656,000 adults 25-54
- CNN: 1.480 million viewers; 483,000 adults 25-54
- MSNBC: 1.421 million viewers; 195,000 adults 25-54
- Newsmax: 0.280 million viewers; 52,000 adults 25-54
- HLN: 0.266 million viewers; 89,000 adults 25-54
- CNBC: 0.193 million viewers; 69,000 adults 25-54
- The Weather Channel: 0.148 million viewers; 27,000 adults 25-54
- Fox Business Network: 0.044 million viewers; 7,000 adults 25-54
Top 10 most-watched cable news programs (and the top CNN and MSNBC programs with their respective associated ranks) in total viewers:
1. The Five (FOXNC, Thu. 2/24/2022 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 5.031 million viewers
2. Tucker Carlson Tonight (FOXNC, Thu. 2/24/2022 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 4.692 million viewers
3. The Five (FOXNC, Fri. 2/25/2022 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 4.481 million viewers
4. Hannity (FOXNC, Thu. 2/24/2022 9:00 PM, 60 min.) 4.266 million viewers
5. Jesse Watters Primetime (FOXNC, Thu. 2/24/2022 7:00 PM, 60 min.) 4.209 million viewers
6. Tucker Carlson Tonight (FOXNC, Fri. 2/25/2022 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 3.994 million viewers
7. America Reports (FOXNC, Thu. 2/24/2022 2:00 PM, 60 min.) 3.863 million viewers
8. America Reports (FOXNC, Thu. 2/24/2022 1:00 PM, 60 min.) 3.844 million viewers
9. Special Report with Bret Baier (FOXNC, Thu. 2/24/2022 6:00 PM, 60 min.) 3.827 million viewers
10. Jesse Watters Primetime (FOXNC, Fri. 2/25/2022 7:00 PM, 60 min.) 3.818 million viewers
50. CNN Newsroom “Biden Speaks-Russian Invasion Of Ukraine” (CNN, Thu. 2/24/2022 1:00 PM, 60 min.) 2.710 million viewers
70. Rachel Maddow Show “Russia Invades Ukraine” (MSNBC, Thu. 2/24/2022 9:00 PM, 60 min.) 2.544 million viewers
• Real Time With Bill Maher “591” (HBO, Fri. 2/25/2022 10:01 PM, 57 min.) 0.953 million viewers
• Last Week Tonight (HBO, Sun. 2/27/2022 11:15 PM, 40 min.) 0.480 million viewers
Top 10 cable news programs (and the top CNN and MSNBC programs with their respective associated ranks) among adults 25-54:
1. The Five (FOXNC, Thu. 2/24/2022 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 1.135 million adults 25-54
2. Tucker Carlson Tonight (FOXNC, Thu. 2/24/2022 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 1.100 million adults 25-54
3. Hannity (FOXNC, Thu. 2/24/2022 9:00 PM, 60 min.) 1.002 million adults 25-54
4. Jesse Watters Primetime (FOXNC, Thu. 2/24/2022 7:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.933 million adults 25-54
5. America Reports (FOXNC, Thu. 2/24/2022 1:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.921 million adults 25-54
6. America Reports (FOXNC, Thu. 2/24/2022 2:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.905 million adults 25-54
7. Special Report with Bret Baier (FOXNC, Thu. 2/24/2022 6:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.877 million adults 25-54
8. Jesse Watters Primetime (FOXNC, Fri. 2/25/2022 7:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.876 million adults 25-54
9. Tucker Carlson Tonight (FOXNC, Fri. 2/25/2022 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.870 million adults 25-54
10. The Ingraham Angle (FOXNC, Thu. 2/24/2022 10:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.866 million adults 25-54
13. CNN Newsroom “Biden Speaks-Russian Invasion Of Ukraine” (CNN, Thu. 2/24/2022 1:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.807 million adults 25-54
150. Rachel Maddow Show “Russia Invades Ukraine” (MSNBC, Thu. 2/24/2022 9:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.420 million adults 25-54
• Real Time With Bill Maher “591” (HBO, Fri. 2/25/2022 10:01 PM, 57 min.) 0.184 million adults 25-54
• Last Week Tonight (HBO, Sun. 2/27/2022 11:15 PM, 40 min.) 0.156 million adults 25-54
Source: Live+Same Day data, Nielsen Media Research
