MSNBC TOPS CNN AS DESTINATION FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION COVERAGE FOR FIRST TIME EVER
MSNBC Grows Audience Across Linear and Digital Platforms
MSNBC Digital Sees Record Quarter; Delivers Fourth Straight Record Month for Social Video Views
(New York – Nov. 26, 2024) – From the Iowa Caucuses to Election Day, MSNBC repeatedly topped CNN in viewership during pivotal moments in this year’s presidential race. On the day of the 2024 presidential election, more viewers turned to MSNBC than to CNN for the first time in network history.
The year started with MSNBC sweeping CNN across major primary contests – an MSNBC first. In March, MSNBC drew its largest State of the Union audience to date, beating CNN by the largest viewership margin ever. After President Biden exited the race in July, more viewers turned to MSNBC than to any other network for coverage of the first Harris-Walz rally in Philadelphia and the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
On the heels of MSNBC’s first DNC demo win versus CNN, MSNBC drew more viewers than CNN during the second presidential debate – another MSNBC first – and ranked #1 across all of television for post-debate analysis. Finally, on Election Night 2024, MSNBC averaged six million primetime viewers, topping CNN’s 5.1 million viewers to secure the historic ratings win. MSNBC was also the most-watched TV network among Democrats on Election Night, plus the network drew more Independent and Republican viewers than CNN, according to Nielsen/MRI fusion data.
MSNBC On Pace for Most-Watched Year Since 2021; Only Major Cable Network with Three Straight Years of 4th Quarter Viewership Growth
In 2024 to date, MSNBC is having its most-watched year in three years. MSNBC is on pace to record its largest viewership advantage over CNN ever: MSNBC is averaging 66% more viewers than CNN in the average minute (832,000 vs. 500,000). November marks MSNBC’s 32nd consecutive monthly viewership win over CNN.
Quarter to date, MSNBC viewership is up from a year ago among A25-54 (+12%) and total viewers (+2%). Looking at 4th quarter ratings since 2021, MSNBC is the only Top 50 cable network with three straight years of total viewership growth.
MSNBC has the most loyal and engaged weekday audience in all of television. According to Nielsen, in a typical week, the average MSNBC viewer watches the network for more than eight hours from Monday to Friday, doubling the CNN viewer average.
#1 Cable Network Among Black Viewers, Adds More Black Viewers Than Any Other Major Cable Network
In 2024 to date, MSNBC remains the most-watched cable network among Black Americans. In the past year, MSNBC has added more Black viewers than any other Top 50 cable network. On Election Night, MSNBC was the most-watched TV network among Black Americans.
MSNBC was also the most-watched network among Democrats, plus the network drew more Independent and Republican viewers than CNN, according to Nielsen/MRI fusion data.
MSNBC Prime Tops CNN in Total Viewers for 96th Consecutive Month
In weekday prime (Monday-Friday 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.), MSNBC topped CNN in prime for the 96th straight month (1.4 million vs. 829,000). From 4 p.m. to midnight, all weekday MSNBC programs beat their respective CNN time slot competitors. Additionally, MSNBC’s primetime lineup draws twice as many Independents and Republicans as CNN’s, according to Nielsen/MRI fusion data.
In 2024 to date,, “The Rachel Maddow Show” (Mondays at 9 p.m.) is drawing four times as many total viewers as CNN’s “The Source with Kaitlan Collins” (2.6 million vs. 616,000).
“Maddow” is the most DVR’d program in all of cable news, with more time-shifted viewers (860,000 within seven days of air date) than any other cable news program.
More Viewers Start Their Day with “Morning Joe” Than With Any Other Cable Program
Year to date, MSNBC is the most-watched cable network in the 6 a.m. hour. In November, “Morning Joe” (Monday-Friday 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.) continued to dominate CNN on weekday mornings. “Morning Joe” topped CNN for the 117th consecutive month among total viewers and for the 31st straight month among A25-54. In November, “Morning Joe” was the #1 cable morning show in New York for the 30th straight month and in Washington, D.C. for the 31st consecutive month.
“MSNBC Reports” Beats CNN in Dayside for 26th Straight Month
In dayside, MSNBC is having its most-watched year since 2021, with two consecutive years of audience gains. In November, MSNBC beat CNN among total viewers for the 26th consecutive month.
MSNBC Weekend Programming Beats CNN for 12th Straight Month; “The Weekend” Tops CNN in Total Viewers
In November, MSNBC beat CNN’s weekend lineup for the 12th straight month. MSNBC weekend coverage had growth versus a year ago among Adults 25-54 (+5%), while CNN viewership declined by double digits (-25%). The weekend before Election Day was MSNBC’s second most-watched weekend in two years, just behind the weekend of Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race. On weekend mornings in November, MSNBC’s “The Weekend” delivered a +15% ratings improvement compared to the year-ago time period average.
#1 Cable Network in Top Markets Across the U.S., Including Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and San Francisco
In 2024 to date, MSNBC is the highest-rated cable network in four of the top 10 local television markets: Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and Philadelphia. In November, MSNBC beat CNN in 24 of the top 25 markets for the 13th straight month.
MSNBC Digital is the #1 Political News Destination; MSNBC Shatters Records Across Social
MSNBC Digital is the #1 political news destination based on total minutes, a position the network held for 43 consecutive months. MSNBC ranked #2 based on unique visitors with the last four months being the highest all-time. On its website and the MSNBC mobile app, page views more than doubled year-over year and surpassed the same period in 2020.
Across social, MSNBC is pacing towards its best quarter ever and second consecutive quarter with over two billion video views across social platforms. MSNBC on TikTok surpassed one billion quarterly video views for the first time ever and already passed last quarter’s record.
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TV Source: Nielsen, Panel Only, Live+SD, Persons 2+ and Adults 25-54. Total Day = M-Su 6 a.m. to 6 a.m., Weekday = M-F 6 a.m. to 6 a.m. Nov 2024: 10/28/24-11/24/24. Weekday time spent viewing based on 6-minute weekly reach qualifier. Race and Ethnicity claims based on time period data; Black (M-Su 6 a.m. to 6 a.m.)). 4th quarter claims: among all cable networks, 3 straight years of viewership growth in 4Q (2021-2024). “TRMS” claims based on 2024 to date, Most Current data, excluding RNC and DNC; time-shifted viewers (i.e., non-Live): watching via DVR up to 7 days after original air date. Time period wins based on regularly-scheduled cable news programming. Local market data based on Nielsen NSI, P2+, Monday-Friday total day, national cable networks, 2024 to date.
Digital Source: Comscore Media Metrix, U.S. desktop 2+ and mobile 13+ persons excluding Social Incremental. October 2024. Monthly unique visitors and total minutes. Ranking based on Comscore News/Information – Politics category. ListenFirst, platforms include YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and X. October 1 – November 21, 2024. Video views. Adobe Analytics. November 1 – 21, 2024. Page views.
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