MSNBC DOUBLES AUDIENCE SINCE INAUGURATION
Delivers Largest Monthly Primetime Audience in Six Months
“Morning Joe” Is The Most-Watched Morning Cable News Show in The Nation’s Capital; Secures A25-54 Demo Lead Over CNN
MSNBC Digital Retains #1 Spot Among Cable News Brands on YouTube and TikTok
(New York – April 29, 2025) — As President Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office nears the end, MSNBC drew its largest total day audience since November and had its most watched month in primetime since October 2024, according to Nielsen ratings data. In April, in addition to notching a six-month high in primetime viewership, MSNBC delivered month-over-month growth in nearly all dayparts, along with year-over-year growth in weekday prime.
While other cable news networks shed total day viewers in April from March, MSNBC delivered gains (+5%), finishing #2 across all of cable television (ahead of #3 ESPN, #4 CNN, #5 TNT), and retaining its #1 ranking ahead of its cable news competitors on YouTube and TikTok.
MSNBC is the #1 Cable News Network in the Nation’s Capital; Sees Largest Total Day Audience Since November
In April, MSNBC had its most-watched month since November, averaging 656,000 total day viewers. MSNBC was also the most-watched cable news network in the influential Washington D.C. market – marking back-to-back months at #1. Additionally, MSNBC was the #1 cable news network among Black Americans in and a top five cable network among Hispanic viewers and Asian viewers.
Since the inauguration, MSNBC viewers are spending 29% more time watching the network compared to the pre-inauguration time frame, representing the largest increase among all cable news networks. The average MSNBC viewer watches for nine hours per week, nearly doubling the CNN viewer average.
Comparing week one of the new Trump administration to week 14, MSNBC was the only cable news network with audience growth, as total day viewership was up by 9%, while both CNN and FOX News shed viewers (CNN -16%; FOX News -41%).
MSNBC Nearly Doubles Its Primetime Audience Since Inauguration Day; Doubles CNN’s Average
As viewers continue to re-engage 14 weeks into the new administration, MSNBC’s weekday primetime viewership has nearly doubled versus pre-inauguration norms (+99%).
In April, MSNBC weekday prime had its highest-rated month since October. MSNBC topped CNN for the 101st consecutive month in weekday prime and more than doubled CNN’s audience (1.5 million vs. 586,000). Among A25-54, MSNBC topped CNN for the first time since August (135,000 vs. 118,000).
During MSNBC’s Perspective and Analysis programming (4 p.m. to midnight), all weekday programs topped their respective CNN time slot competitors in total viewers for the 37th straight month. April also marked the fourth consecutive month of total viewer growth for the network in the daypart.
“Morning Joe” Doubled CNN’s Morning Viewership, Secures Lead Among Demo Viewers, #1 in Washington, D.C.
In April, “Morning Joe” delivered its largest total viewer audience since November 2024, up 7% from March. MSNBC more than doubled CNN’s morning audience from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. (749,000 vs. 358,000) in April, marking the network’s 122nd consecutive monthly win over CNN among total viewers. In addition to topping CNN in total viewers, MSNBC also regained its lead over CNN in the key adults 25-54 demo in April (65,000 vs. 57,000).
During the first 14 weeks of the new administration, the total “Morning Joe” audience grew by double digits (+21%) compared to its pre-inauguration benchmarks.
“Way Too Early with Ali Vitali” doubled CNN’s total audience during the 5 a.m. hour in April (256,000 vs. 123,000), beating its counterpart in the time slot for the 37th consecutive month.
“MSNBC Reports” Gains Viewers from March, Beats CNN, and Delivers Double-Digit Viewership Growth from Pre-Inauguration Norms
“MSNBC Reports” (Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) moved ahead of its CNN time period competition in April, averaging 584,000 total viewers versus CNN’s 573,000. MSNBC dayside has averaged 585,000 total viewers in the daypart in the first 14 weeks of the new administration, a 25% increase from the network’s pre-inauguration norms.
MSNBC Weekend Programming Posts Double-Digit Viewer Growth Since Inauguration; Tops CNN In Total Viewership
MSNBC’s weekend programming (Saturday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.) averaged 484,000 total viewers in April, up 39% from pre-inauguration norms and topped CNN for the month.
MSNBC’s two-hour weekend morning ensemble program “The Weekend” averaged 587,000 total viewers, topping CNN for the 16th consecutive month in its time slot.
MSNBC Ranks As The #1 Political News Destination; Most-Watched Cable News Network on YouTube and TikTok
MSNBC Digital continued to rank #1 in its competitive set for unique visitors, with 36 million unique visitors in March 2025, marking the network’s second best month for unique visitors.
MSNBC Digital also ranked number #1 in the competitive set for total minutes, a position held for 48 consecutive months, with 1 billion minutes – MSNBC’s second best month for total minutes.
Month-to-date, MSNBC has had 407 million video views on YouTube, up +59% year-over-year. MSNBC is pacing to be the most-watched cable news network on YouTube, ahead of FOX News (319 million), CNN (230 million), ABC News (100 million), and CBS News (49 million). MSNBC’s YouTube Short of former President Barack Obama saying, “Imagine if I had done any of this” was the most-watched YouTube video in April, with 6.7 million views.
Month-to-date, MSNBC has had 351 million video views on TikTok, up 730% year-over year. MSNBC is pacing to be the most-watched cable news network on TikTok, ahead of ABC News (316 million), CBS News (309 million), FOX News (287 million), and CNN (261 million). MSNBC’s TikTok video on Trump loyalists now speaking out against the administration had over 18.7 million views.
MSNBC Audio Portfolio Projected to Reach 13.7 Million Downloads in April
In April, MSNBC’s audio portfolio is projected to have roughly 13.7 million downloads across MSNBC Showcasts and MSNBC Originals, making it the strongest month since October 2024 and the 4th consecutive month of month-over-month growth.
Digital Source: Comscore Media Metrix, March 2025. U.S. desktop 2+ and mobile 13+ internet population. Unique visitors and total minutes. YouTube data based on YouTube Studio Analytics, April 1-28, 2025. YouTube video views. Competitor comparisons based on U.S. competitor list from ListenFirst, April 1-28, 2025. TikTok data based on ListenFirst, April 1-28, 2025. TikTok video views. Audio data from Simplecast.
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 Primetime= M-F 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. April 2025: 03/31/25-04/27/25). All stats for the new administration growth vs. post-election norms: 1/20/25-4/27/25 vs. 11/11/24-1/19/25. Time period wins based on regularly-scheduled cable news programming. Nielsen, NPower, Reach & Frequency, Time Period Report, 6-min viewing qualifier, average weekly hours viewed, all television networks. Race/Ethnicity claims based on time period data through 4/24/25.. DC Point: Time Period Report, #1 claim based on P2+ AA (000), LPM = Washington, D.C., total day M-Su 6 a.m to 6 a.m and M-F 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.
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