MSNBC Is Second-Most-Watched Network Across Basic Cable

Rachel Maddow

For the 4th straight month, MSNBC finished 1st in A18-49 for weekday prime (M-F 8-11pm) in the month of August 2017, according to Nielsen.

MSNBC averaged 364,000 viewers A18-49 (vs. FOX News’ 348,000 and CNN’s 358,000); 514,000 viewers A25-54 (vs. CNN’s 448,000); and 2.31 million viewers (vs. CNN’s 1.28 million viewers). In total viewers, MSNBC finished at #2 among all cable networks in weekday prime (ahead of HGTV and TBS, just behind FOX News), posting the network’s best viewer delivery ever and topping CNN in total viewers for the 9th month in a row.

In A25-54, MSNBC also beat CNN for 6th month in a row. Additionally, MSNBC outpaced FOX News’ and CNN’s growth year over year in the key demographics: +62% in A18-49 (vs. FOX News’ +13% and CNN’s +39%), +61% in A25-54 (vs. FOX News’ +22% and CNN’s +44%), and +63% in total viewers (vs. FOX News’ +4% and CNN’s +32%).

MSNBC’s “The Rachel Maddow Show” was the #1 show across all of cable news, beating FOX News and CNN in the key demographics of A25-54 and A18-49 and total viewers. This is the 6th consecutive month in A25-54 and the 4th straight month in total viewers that “Maddow” topped all of cable news. “Maddow” delivered its best total viewer delivery ever for a month, averaging 2.8 million total viewers and 630,000 viewers A25-54. “Maddow” was the 2nd highest rated regularly scheduled show in all cable in total viewers (behind WWE).

Other highlights:

• MSNBC dayside (M-F 9am-5pm) bested CNN among total viewers for the 2nd month in a row. 
• “The 11th Hour with Brian Williams” finished #1 at 11pm, beating regularly scheduled shows on FOX News and CNN in A18-49, A25-54 and total viewers. 
• “Morning Joe” at 6am continued its win over CNN among A25-54 and total viewers. In A25-54, “Morning Joe” topped CNN for the 3rd month in a row. “Morning Joe” has also beaten CNN among total viewers for 30 consecutive months.