The Lead
Fox News got off to a blistering start in the cable news ratings to begin 2025. That was showcased as President Donald Trump hit the 100-day-in-office milestone earlier this week.
From Inauguration Day (January 20th) until Tuesday, April 29th — the 100th day of the Trump administration — Fox News averaged just over 3 million viewers in primetime, according to figures from Nielsen.
The previous record — also set by Fox News — was just over 2.8 million viewers during the first 100 days of the first Donald Trump administration.
Fox News saw a 25% increase compared to the first 100 days of the Joe Biden administration in 2021, and a 65% increase compared to the first 100 days of Barack Obama’s second term.
In the coveted Adults 25-54 demographic, Fox News averaged 375,000 viewers in primetime during the first 100 days of the Trump administration. Despite setting record highs in the total viewership categories, that’s the lowest figure in the demo for the network since Barack Obama’s first 100 days of his second term in 2013.
In the total day ratings, the Fox News audience was up 47% compared to the first 100 days of Joe Biden’s term. The network featured an average audience of just under 1.9 million viewers for Trump’s first 100 days. It’s a 69% increase compared to Obama’s second term in 2013 and a 118% increase compared to George W. Bush’s second term in 2005.
CNN saw its lowest ratings in the primetime window during the first 100 days of President Trump’s second term. It featured an average audience of 562,000 total viewers in the 8-11 PM ET window, according to Nielsen. The previous low — since Bill Clinton’s second term in 1997 — was during George W. Bush’s first term when the network averaged 669,000 total viewers in the primetime window.
CNN’s total primetime audience dropped by 60% from the first 100 days in 2021 to the same window in 2025.
The network averaged 117,000 total viewers in the key demographic during the 100-day period in 2025. That’s a 68% decrease compared to the audience it featured during Biden’s first 100 days in 2021 and a 72% decrease compared to the first 100 days of Trump’s first term.
As for MSNBC, the network saw a decline of 40% in 2025 compared to its finish during the first 100 days in 2021. MSNBC averaged 1.2 million viewers during the window this year.
While it saw a large decline, the finish in 2025 is actually an increase compared to the first 100 days of Obama’s terms in 2009 and 2013, when it finished 930,000 total viewers and 730,000 total viewers, respectively.
The ratings decline was larger in the key demographic for MSNBC in 2025. Compared to 2021, the network saw a 62% decrease in viewers from the Adults 25-54 sector.
NewsNation Sees Year-Over-Year Growth During April
NewsNation saw ratings gains in key windows during April compared to the same timeframe in 2024.
The Hill — the network’s 6 PM ET program helmed by Blake Burman — saw a 24% increase in total viewers during January, February, and March. It averaged 42,000 total viewers during the month
Additionally, Elizabeth Vargas Reports — which moved to 7 PM ET during the first quarter — grew to an average of 55,000 total viewers in April. That represented a 10% increase compared to the same window in 2024.
Cuomo, hosted by Chris Cuomo, saw the biggest growth for NewsNation during the month. The program featured an average audience of 167,000. The 8 PM ET timeslot saw 26% year-over-year growth.
In the total day ratings, NewsNation saw an uptick of 15% in total viewers and growth of 20% in the Adults 25-54 demographic.
Fox Business, CNBC Jockey For Top Positions in Business News
The business news sector has featured a tight battle in recent months, which was only exacerbated by fluctuations in the financial markets due to tariffs implemented by the Trump administration.
During the month of April, both Fox Business Network and CNBC won certain ratings categories.
CNBC earned the top spot during the month in the Business Day (Monday-Friday, 9:30 AM-5 PM ET) and Market Hours (Monday-Friday, 9 AM-4 PM ET) categories.
In the business day ratings, CNBC narrowly defeated Fox Business Network, 228,000 total viewers to 225,000.
The market hours viewership was also a tight battle, with CNBC featuring 233,000 total viewers compared to Fox Business’ 214,000.
In the total day category, however, Fox Business topped CNBC 141,000 to 140,000 during the month. It marked the 13th consecutive month that Fox Business Network earned the top spot in the category.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.
Garrett Searight is Barrett Media’s News Editor, which includes writing daily news stories, features, and opinion columns. He joined Barrett Media in 2022 after a decade leading several radio brands in several formats, as well as a 5-year stint working in local television. In addition to his work with Barrett Media, he is a radio and TV play-by-play broadcaster. Reach out to him at Garrett@BarrettMedia.com.
