TV Ratings: 'World News Tonight' Tops Broadcast, Cable

For the week of April 1, 2024, Fox News had 81 of the week’s top 100 cable news telecasts, cementing its position as the No. 1 cable news network in total viewers and the Adults 25-54 demo. All cable news, however, saw massive audience declines in both measured categories, with the March Madness tournament, men’s and women’s, possibly keeping viewers away.

TV Newser reports Nielsen live plus same-day data for the week of April saw FNC average 1.907 million total viewers and 221,000 A25-54 viewers during primetime. The network was down in total viewers by -5% and -3% in the A25-54 demo, relative to the week prior (week beginning March 25).

In total day viewing, Fox News averaged 1.250 million total viewers and 152,000 A25-54 viewers. This translates to drops of -4% in total viewers and -5% in A25-54 from what Fox News averaged in those measurements the week prior. Among all basic cable networks, Fox News remained in 2nd place in total primetime viewers, with ESPN in 1st place, and stuck in 5th place in the primetime demo. In total day, the network held its No. 1 position in total viewers and fell one spot from No. 3 to No. 4 in the total day demo for the week of April 1.

MSNBC in primetime averaged 1.068 million total viewers and 88,000 viewers from the A25-54 demo for the week of April 1. It dropped by -12% in total viewers and -19% in the A25-54 demo from what the network averaged the week prior. CNN averaged 495,000 total primetime viewers and 85,000 A25-54 viewers in primetime for the week of April 1. The news net dipped -7% in total viewers and -19% in the A25-54 demo compared to the previous week..

Fox had 12 out of the 15 most-watched cable news shows of the week, led by The Five (2.958 million viewers at 5 p.m. ET). Deadline: White House with Nicole Wallace at 5 p.m. ET was MSNBC’s most-watched program, coming in at No. 10 with 1.469 million viewers. MSNBC took the remaining two spots within the top 15, with Deadline: White House at No. 12 with 1.450 million viewers (4 p.m. ET) and The Beat with Ari Melber at No. 13 with 1.439 million viewers (6 p.m. ET).

Gutfeld! reclaimed his top spot in the Adults 25-54 demo, averaging 307,000 A25-54 viewers at 10 p.m. ET. Fox News again led the way with 14 of the top 15 cable news shows in the demo overall, with MSNBC’s The Reidout holding on to the 15 spot with 128,000 viewers at 7 p.m. ET.

📺BROADCAST EVENINGS NEWS

ABC's David Muir

“World News Tonight with David Muir” stood as the No. 1 program of the week in Total Viewers (7.830 million) on all of broadcast and cable (excluding sports) during the week of April 1, 2024, based on Live + Same Day Data from Nielsen Media Research.

“World News Tonight” ranked as the No. 1 newscast on all of broadcast and cable in Total Viewers (7.830 million), Adults 25-54 (1.097 million) and Adults 18-49 (734,000). “World News Tonight” outperformed “NBC Nightly News” (6.203 million, 883,000 and 576,000, respectively) by 1.627 million Total Viewers, by 214,000 Adults 25-54 and by 158,000 Adults 18-49, respectively.

“World News Tonight” widened its lead over “NBC Nightly News” week to week, across the board: Total Viewers (+35% – 1.627 million vs. 1.201 million), Adults 25-54 (+57% – 214,000 vs. 136,000) and Adults 18-49 (+41% – 158,000 vs. 112,000). In fact, “World News Tonight” turned in its largest Total Viewer lead over the NBC program in more than 8 months — since w/o 8/14/23.

“World News Tonight” is ranking No. 1 in Adults 25-54 and Adults 18-49 for the 5th consecutive season. “World News Tonight” is leading NBC in Adults 25-54 (+100,000 – 1.120 million vs. 1.020 million) and in Adults 18-49 (+81,000 – 767,000 vs. 686,000). In addition, “World News Tonight” is leading “CBS Evening News” (705,000 and 478,000, respectively) by 415,000 Adults 25-54 and by 289,000 Adults 18-49.

📺TV SHOW RATINGS RANKER

Ranking is based on ratings data as of Monday, April 8, 2024. The audience figures are derived from the latest Nielsen daily, weekly, or monthly P2+ program audience averages, whichever is the most recently available within the past seven-day window.