MSNBC DELIVERS DOUBLE-DIGIT GROWTH ACROSS TV AND DIGITAL PLATFORMS
MSNBC Ranks #1 on YouTube and TikTok Among News Brands in March, Hits All-Time High in YouTube Monthly Views
MSNBC Primetime Viewership Increases by 96% Since Inauguration
MSNBC Viewers Are Three Times as Likely to Watch Every Weeknight as CNN Viewers
“Morning Joe” Doubles CNN’s Morning Viewership
(New York – April 1, 2025) — Ten weeks into President Trump’s second term, MSNBC viewership increased by double-digit percentages versus pre-inauguration benchmarks across television, digital, and social media platforms. In March, in addition to ranking #2 across all of cable television (ahead of #3 ESPN, #4 CNN, and #5 TBS), MSNBC once again surged ahead of its news competitors on both YouTube and TikTok.
Since President Trump took office, MSNBC’s primetime audience has grown by 96% versus pre-inauguration norms, according to Nielsen ratings data, as news consumers continue to re-engage following an expected post-election ratings dip. MSNBC daily viewing habits have resumed – MSNBC viewers in March were three times as likely to tune in every weeknight as CNN viewers.
MSNBC Audience Re-Engages at a Stronger Pace Than Other Cable News Nets; #1 Cable Network in D.C.; Most-Watched Cable News Network Among Black Americans
Since the inauguration, MSNBC viewers are spending 26% 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 over eight hours per week, nearly doubling the CNN viewer average. Comparing week one of the new Trump administration to week ten, MSNBC was the only cable news network with audience growth, as total day viewership was up by 8%, while both CNN and FOX News shed viewers (CNN -8%; FOX News -32%).
In the first quarter of 2025, MSNBC was the most-watched cable network in Washington D.C. Additionally, MSNBC was the #1 cable news network among Black Americans and a top 4 cable network among Hispanic viewers and Asian viewers.
MSNBC Weekday Primetime Doubles CNN’s Average; Up 96% Since Inauguration Day
In weekday primetime, MSNBC viewership has increased by 96% overall and by 118% among adults 25-54 since Inauguration Day when compared to pre-inauguration norms. Among total viewers, viewership grew by 7% quarter over quarter. MSNBC had its most-watched quarter since the third quarter of 2024, topped CNN for the 36th consecutive quarter, and more than doubled CNN’s average minute audience (1.3 million vs. 624,000 total viewers).
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 15th straight quarter. March marked the third straight month of month-over-month growth for the daypart.
In the first quarter of 2025, MSNBC continued its streak of topping CNN during major political moments – more viewers turned to MSNBC than CNN in primetime on an inauguration day for the first time ever. In early March, MSNBC topped CNN on the night of the Presidential Joint Address to Congress for the third consecutive year.
“MSNBC Reports” Has Best Week Since Early February During Senate Intelligence Hearings; Delivers Double-Digit Viewership Growth from Pre-Inauguration Norms
During last week’s Senate Intelligence hearings, MSNBC Reports (Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) delivered its highest-rated week since early February, securing its first weekly win over CNN in 6 weeks. Earlier in the quarter, MSNBC topped CNN during cabinet confirmation hearings for the first time ever. “MSNBC Reports” averaged 584,000 total viewers in the first ten weeks of the new administration, a 24% increase from pre-inauguration norms.
“Morning Joe” Doubled CNN’s Morning Viewership, #1 Morning Cable Program in D.C.
In the first quarter of 2025, “Morning Joe” doubled CNN’s morning audience, securing its 40th consecutive quarterly win over CNN among total viewers and 12th consecutive quarterly win in the demo. MSNBC was also the most-watched cable network in Washington, D.C. across weekday mornings. In March, MSNBC also averaged three times as many viewers as CNN during the 6 a.m. hour.
During the first ten weeks of the new administration, the “Morning Joe” audience grew by double digits (+18%) compared to pre-inauguration benchmarks.
Plus, “Morning Joe” is one of MSNBC’s top performing Audio Showcasts in the first quarter of 2025, with 1.2 million average monthly downloads. The past two years, “Morning Joe” was the most listened to showcast across MSNBC.
“Way Too Early” Delivers Three Straight Months of Audience Growth
“Way Too Early,” hosted by Ali Vitali since early January, had three consecutive months of month-over-month viewership growth. MSNBC doubled CNN’s total audience during the 5.am. hour in March, beating CNN in the time slot for the 36th consecutive month. The first quarter of 2025 marked MSNBC’s 30th consecutive quarterly win over CNN in the timeslot.
MSNBC Weekend Programming Draws 39% More Viewers Since Inauguration; Tops CNN In Total Viewership
In the first quarter of 2025, MSNBC’s weekend programming (Saturday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.) topped CNN for the 5th straight quarter. MSNBC weekend coverage also had double-digit viewership growth compared to pre-inauguration norms: up 39% among total viewers and 62% in the 25-54 demo.
Ranks as the #1 Political News Destination and Most-Watched News Network on YouTube and TikTok; MSNBC Had Its Best Month Ever on YouTube
MSNBC Digital ranked #1 in its competitive set for unique visitors in February, with 36 million unique visitors in February 2025; MSNBC’s second best month for unique visitors. MSNBC Digital also ranked number one in the competitive set for total minutes, a position held for 47 consecutive months, with 864 million minutes.
On YouTube, MSNBC had its best month ever in March with 485 million views, up 14% vs prior record and 67% year-over-year. MSNBC was the most-watched news network on YouTube, ahead of FOX News (416 million), CNN (233 million), ABC News (123 million) and CBS News (61 million). Amongst these competitors, MSNBC had three out of the top ten videos this month.
On TikTok, MSNBC had 604 million views in March, up 787% year-over-year and up 54% month-over-month. MSNBC was the most-watched news network on TikTok, ahead of Fox News, CNN, ABC News, and CBS News among others.
MSNBC Audio Portfolio Reaches More Than 12 Million Downloads in March; Launches New Original Series Including “Trumpland with Alex Wagner” and “The Blueprint with Jen Psaki”
In March, MSNBC’s audio portfolio had more than 12 million downloads across MSNBC Showcasts and MSNBC Originals, including the newly launched series “Trumpland with Alex Wagner” and “The Blueprint with Jen Psaki,” making it the strongest month since October 2024 and the third consecutive month of month-over-month growth.
The first quarter of 2025 is also up versus the prior quarter, driven by MSNBC Audio Showcasts (9.5 million monthly downloads, up 5% versus 4Q24 monthly average). MSNBC’s top performing Audio Showcasts in the first quarter of 2025 include “The Rachel Maddow Show” with nearly four million average monthly downloads, up 100% versus prior quarter and prior year, and “Morning Joe” with 1.2 million average monthly downloads.
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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., Primetime= M-F 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. 1Q25: 12/30/24-3/30/25. March 2025: 2/24/25-3/30/25. All stats for the new administration growth vs. pre-inauguration norms is based on 1/20/25-3/30/25 (i.e., since inauguration day) vs. 11/11/24-1/19/25 (between election week and inauguration week). Morning Joe doubles CNN stat: program based data only, .7M vs. .35M P2+. Time period wins based on regularly-scheduled cable news programming. Nielsen, NPower, Reach & Frequency, M-F 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. and M-Su 6 a.m.-6 a.m., 6-min viewing qualifier, % of viewers primetime viewers watching 4+ times per week. Local Points: Nielsen, NPower, Ratings Analysis Program Report, LPM = Washington, D.C., 12/30/24-3/20/25, P2+, M-Su 6a-6a. Race/Ethnicity Stats = Time Period Rankers, no exclusions, 12/30/24-3/27/25, M-Su 6a-6a, P2+.
Digital Source: Comscore Media Metrix, February 2025. U.S. desktop 2+ and mobile 13+ internet population. Unique visitors and total minutes. YouTube data based on YouTube Studio Analytics, March 2025. YouTube video views. Competitor comparisons based on U.S. competitor list from ListenFirst, March 2025. TikTok data based on ListenFirst, March 2025. TikTok video views. Audio data from Simplecast.
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