2023 ended the way it usually does in the ratings, with Fox News on top. Despite undergoing changes to its roster and programming schedule, the dominant outlet finished first among all networks. Fox has now held the top spot among all cable networks for eight years straight.
Looking at the network’s seven-day primetime performance, Fox averaged 1.85 million viewers, which was down by 20% year-over-year. The network also produced 1.22 million viewers in total day, which was down 18% from 2022. Fox also swept the top five daily shows with The Five being the most watched at 2.89 million viewers. Occupying spots 2-5 were Jesse Watters Primetime (2.49 million), Hannity (2.36 million), Special Report with Bret Baier (2.07 million), and The Ingraham Angle (1.96 million).
MSNBC also had reasons to feel optimistic. The network was the only one of the top three to show slight growth.
For 2023, MSNBC delivered 1.22 million viewers in seven-day primetime, up 2% year-over-year. The network also attracted 780K in total day, up 6% from 2022. The top performing shows on MSNBC for 2023 were Alex Wagner Tonight/The Rachel Maddow Show, which finished 7th overall with 1.61 million. Maddow’s show, which airs only on Mondays, delivered larger numbers at 2.4 million viewers.
The news for CNN was less positive. The network finished 2023 down 19% in seven-day primetime with 582K viewers. CNN was also down 15% in total day with 479K. The top show for the year on the network belonged to Andersoon Cooper 360, which averaged 743K through December 12th. The show finished 29th among all cable news programs.
With an election year upon us, all three should benefit from increased interest. Other networks such as NewsNation and Newsmax should be bigger factors in the future as well. Case in point, NewsNation reported double-digit growth across the board for 2023, up 71% in total viewers, and up 100% in Adults 25-54 versus the prior year.
For now, the story remains the same, Fox is in front by a lot and it’s everyone else’s job to catch up. 2024 should be a competitive battle for the attention of viewers.
