With the dust settling post-election, CNN is seeing its ratings plummet, leaving many within the network concerned about its future. Recent Nielsen reports indicate this drop is steep, with CNN hitting its lowest audience numbers since the early 2000s. On November 11, 2024, the network averaged just 61,000 viewers aged 25-54 during prime time, marking its weakest performance on a Tuesday since June 2000, when Bill Clinton was still President.
The situation is not limited to the evening broadcasts. Daytime ratings for CNN have also suffered, with the network drawing merely 60,000 viewers from 9 AM to 5 PM over the same week, the lowest weekday figures since 2014. This stark decline coincides with the election results, as viewers seemed to abandon CNN for other networks.
Contrasting these poor numbers are the viewer counts for Fox News. During the same post-election period, CNN reported an average of only 403,000 total viewers, significantly lagging behind Fox News, which attracted 2.2 million. Even during prime time, things look grim for CNN, which entertained just 483,000 viewers compared to Fox’s impressive 3.4 million.
This ratings decline follows the aftermath of only 5.1 million viewers tuning in for CNN's election night coverage, which was down sharply from 611,000 viewers only days later—a concerning 36 percent drop from its October average of 953,000.
Fox News certainly seized the opportunity as CNN floundered, gaining viewers instead. On election night, Fox surged with over 10 million viewers and retained higher numbers afterward, averaging over 4 million viewers, reflecting a 34 percent increase from October and marking a 58 percent boost compared to its year-to-date viewership for 2024.
It appears this trend isn't isolated to CNN alone. MSNBC is also facing substantial ratings drops, with reports showing they lost over half their audience after seeing viewer numbers fall from around 6 million on election night to under 1 million shortly thereafter. Some speculate this ebbing audience reflects broader issues within left-leaning cable networks.
Those within CNN reportedly sense impending changes. Key figures like anchor Anderson Cooper, who commands hefty salary figures, are supposedly feeling the strain. Insiders suggest management may well look to cut costs by reducing staff, potentially impacting both high-profile anchors and the production crews behind the scenes.
Executives are allegedly considering major layoffs, which would strike fear among talent like Cooper, Jake Tapper, and Erin Burnett—all of whom have signed lucrative contracts. With the network’s dire ratings situation, tension is palpable, as many staff members fear for their job security. The somber sentiment extends among CNN employees, triggering anxious discussions about their next possible career steps amid the network's apparent crisis.
The cold reality is this pattern of ratings erosion isn’t new for CNN; similar declines were witnessed after the 2016 election post-Trump's victory. The question remains—will CNN rebound this time around as they did after Trump's initial election, or are we witnessing the rise of more pressing issues, such as diminishing trust in traditional media?
Media analysts attribute the significant viewership shifts to public sentiment—that many Americans are beginning to harbor doubts about the reliability of news sources, especially those perceived as leaning politically. Carlo Versano from Newsweek commented on this, stating, "The path of traditional media's institutional collapse is really two intertwining stories: a breakdown of its business model exacerbated by a breakdown of influence. This lack of trust may have reached new heights during the recent elections."
The story is still developing, but as CNN struggles to adapt to the changing media environment, the fear of becoming a relic of the past continues to loom large, compelling many journalists to contemplate alternatives beyond cable news.
Looking to the competition, Fox continues dominating with impressive ratings across the board. During the election week from November 4-10, Fox News Channel led the pack, not only surpassing cable but outshining major broadcasters like ABC and NBC as well. With 5.4 million weekday prime time viewers, Fox claimed 61 percent of the total viewers within the cable news share. On Election Day, their coverage commanded nearly 13.6 million viewers and over 4.4 million among the coveted younger demographic.
This competitive edge suggests a definitive shift within the media, as outlets like Fox News cater successfully to Republicans and conservative audiences who appear increasingly loyal during turbulent political times.
Despite promising ratings for shows like The View, which reported its highest ratings since 2014 following the election, left-leaning networks seem to be enduring painful dwindles across the board. After Trump's recent victory and subsequent speculation about his administration's direction, many remain uncertain of where the media's narrative will head from here.
This rapidly changing environment demands attention—how well CNN navigates these choppy waters could determine its fate as numerous voices begin to question their loyalty to once-favorite networks. The days of being able to lean heavily on political drama and sharp-edged commentary may be fading, forcing journalists, anchors, and producers across networks to reconsider both their roles and the platforms they’ll utilize moving forward.
