MSNBC beats CNN for 23rd straight month

MSNBC swept CNN for the 23rd straight month, according to Nielsen data. In prime time, MSNBC posted double-digit viewership gains, while CNN and FOX News faced ratings declines. Among A25-54, MSNBC notched its first prime time win over CNN since September. MSNBC added more total day viewers year over year than any other cable network. MSNBC slashed FOX News’ lead year over year by 30% among adults 25-54 and by 33% among total viewers.

MSNBC topped CNN on major breaking news days throughout February. On the day that the Supreme Court heard oral arguments over Trump’s 2024 Colorado ballot eligibility (2/9), MSNBC topped CNN during every hour of the day among total viewers and more than doubled CNN’s evening audience. During the Fulton County hearing featuring live testimony from District Attorney Fani Willis (2/15, 3pm-5pm), MSNBC beat CNN among A25-54 and total viewers, in addition to topping CNN in total viewership during every hour of the day. After former President Trump received a $454 million New York civil fraud judgment (2/16, 4pm hour), MSNBC ranked #1 in all of cable. MSNBC topped CNN in every hour of the day among total viewers and won in the A25-54 demo during the 3pm and 4pm hours. 

MSNBC beat CNN in total viewership on the day of the South Carolina Republican Primary for the first time ever, continuing MSNBC’s streak of notching historic ratings wins versus CNN during this election cycle. MSNBC topped CNN in both A25-54 (123K vs. CNN’s 121K) and total viewers (1.0M vs. CNN’s 657K) during its special coverage from 6:30pm-9:15pm.

For the full month, MSNBC’s total day viewership (M-Su 6am-6am) increased versus a year ago and versus two years ago, while FOX News declined year over year and CNN was close to flat. It was MSNBC’s 3rd highest-rated month in the last three years. Among total viewers, MSNBC ranked #2 among all cable networks. MSNBC was #2 among cable news networks for the 23rd consecutive month, beating CNN in 36 of the last 37 months. The average weekday MSNBC viewer watched the network for 522 minutes per week, doubling the CNN viewer average.

In weekday prime, MSNBC expanded its viewer advantage over CNN (+1.1M) compared to a year ago (+834K). Compared to a year ago, MSNBC’s primetime viewership grew among total viewers and A25-54 viewers, while CNN and FOX News declined. 

“The Rachel Maddow Show” (Mondays at 9pm) was the #1 cable news program in its time slot. Maddow (2.6M) drew nearly four times as many viewers as CNN’s “The Source” on Monday nights (615K) and +16% more viewers than Monday telecasts of “Hannity” (2.3M). “The Rachel Maddow Show” also topped CNN’s A25-54 audience (221K vs. 142K).

“Morning Joe” (M-F 6-10am) continues to sweep CNN in the mornings, beating CNN in A25-54 for the 22nd straight month (115K vs. CNN’s 74K) and in total viewers for the 108th consecutive month (1.1M vs. CNN’s 396K). More viewers start their morning with MSNBC than any other cable network, with MSNBC ranking #1 in all of cable in the 6am hour. “Morning Joe” was the #1 cable morning program in New York for the 21st straight month and Washington, D.C. for the 22nd consecutive month.

Dayside coverage had double-digit viewership growth versus one year ago and two years ago while CNN and FOX News had modest growth versus 2023 and double-digit declines versus 2022. After a successful premiere in January, MSNBC’s “The Weekend” (Saturday and Sunday 8-10am) had month-over-month viewership growth in February among both A25-54 (+16%) and total viewers (+8%).

MSNBC was the most-watched cable network among Black viewers, Hispanic viewers, and Asian viewers in prime (M-Su 8pm-11pm).  During the month-long celebration of honoring Black history with in-depth reporting, highlighting Black heritage and culture, MSNBC averaged 188K Black viewers in total day (ahead of CNN’s 110K and FOX News’ 21K), ranking #1 among cable news networks for the 37th consecutive month.

MSNBC is home to the 10 highest-rated cable news programs among Black Americans. Across all of cable, MSNBC had seven of the Top 15 programs among Black viewers:“The ReidOut” (#7), The Rachel Maddow Show” (#10), “All In with Chris Hayes” (#11), “The Beat with Ari Melber” (#12), and “The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell” (#13), “Inside with Jen Psaki” (#14), and “Alex Wagner Tonight” (#15). In addition, “Morning Joe” was the #1 cable program in its time slot among Black viewers.

The following weekday programs extended MSNBC’s winning streaks over CNN during their respective time slots:

“Way Too Early” at 5am: 23 straight months in total viewers, also won among A25-54

“Morning Joe” from 6am-10am: 108 straight months in total viewers, 22 straight months among A25-54, #1 in all of cable in New York (21st straight month) and D.C. (22nd straight month)

“Ana Cabrera Reports” at 10am: 21 straight months in total viewers

“José Díaz-Balart Reports” at 11am: 12 straight months in total viewers 

“Andrea Mitchell Reports” at 12pm: 15 straight months in total viewers

“Chris Jansing Reports” from 1pm-3pm: 21 straight months in total viewers

“Katy Tur Reports” at 3pm: 22 straight months in total viewers

“Deadline: White House” from 4pm-6pm: 80 straight months in total viewers

“The Beat with Ari Melber” at 6pm: 46 straight months in total viewers, 4 straight months among A25-54

“The ReidOut” at 7pm: 23 straight months in total viewers

“Inside with Jen Psaki” Mondays at 8pm: 5 months in total viewers

“All In with Chris Hayes” at 8pm: 23 straight months in total viewers, also won among A25-54 for the first time since September 2023

“The Rachel Maddow Show” Mondays at 9pm: 129 straight months in total viewers, 23 straight months among A25-54

“Alex Wagner Tonight” at 9pm: 19 straight months in total viewers, also won among A25-54

“The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell” at 10pm: 105 straight months in total viewers, 3 straight months among A25-54

“The 11th Hour with Stephanie Ruhle” at 11pm: 91 straight months in total viewers, 3 straight months among A25-54

The following weekend programs had ratings wins versus CNN:

“The Weekend” Saturdays and Sundays 8am-10am: beat CNN among total viewers

“Velshi” Saturdays and Sundays 10am-12pm: beat CNN among total viewers

“The Katie Phang Show” Saturdays 12pm-1pm: beat CNN among total viewers

“Inside with Jen Psaki” Sundays 12pm: beat CNN among total viewers

“Alex Witt Reports” Saturdays and Sundays 1pm-4pm: beat CNN among total viewers

“PoliticsNation” Saturdays and Sundays at 5pm: beat CNN (and FOX News) among Black viewers; highest concentration of Black viewers on cable news

“The Saturday/Sunday Show with Jonathan Capehart” Saturdays and Sundays 6pm-7pm: beat CNN (and FOX News) among Black viewers

“Ayman” Saturdays and Sundays 7pm-9pm: beat CNN among total viewers

MSNBC Digital reached its largest audience in three years with monthly unique visitors growing by 54% year-over-year. It was the 10th straight month of double-digit year-over-over audience growth. MSNBC also continued to rank as one of the top three largest Political News destinations.

MSNBC is continuing to see strong consumption across YouTube and TikTok. On YouTube, MSNBC is on track to have one of its top three months ever as the brand is expected to reach its highest levels in 18 months with more than 280 million video views.

MSNBC continues to pace ahead of both CNN and FOX News on the platform, a position it’s held for the last four consecutive months.

MSNBC original podcasts are pacing to have one of their top 10 months on record, delivering their largest number of downloads in six months. Prosecuting Donald Trump is on track to have its second best month ever with downloads growing by more than 25% versus the prior month.

TV Source: Nielsen, Live+SD average audience, February 2024. Based on Total Day (6am-6am), Persons 2+, unless indicated. Program averages exclude repeats. Program rank among Black Viewers excludes sports and special telecasts. Weekly minutes viewed based on Monday-Friday 6am-6am.

Digital Source: Comscore Media Metrix®, January 2024, U.S. desktop internet population 2+ and mobile internet population 13+ years old. ListenFirst for YouTube and TikTok video views, February 2024. Simplecast for podcast downloads, February 2024.