TV Cable Ratings: Israel-Hamas Coverage Dominates

Cable news highlights for the week include continuing coverage of the Israel-Hamas war and late-week breaking news coverage of the Maine mass shooting.

With Nielsen live plus same day data for last week officially in, TV Newser reports Fox News Channel retains its usual position as the top-rated cable news network in total viewers and among Adults 25-54.

In total day viewing, FNC averaged 1.41 million total viewers, No. 1 on all of basic cable, and 175,000 A25-54 viewers, No. 3 on all of basic cable, behind live sports-focused networks ESPN and TBS. The 1.41 million and 175,000 are +3% but -2%, respectively, from the week prior (week of Oct. 16, 2023).

In primetime, Fox News moved up to No. 2 in average total primetime viewers (2.06 million) behind ESPN, but dropped to No. 5 in the key A25-54 demo (239,000), behind live sports-focused ESPN, TBS, TNT and FS1. Fox News’ 2.06 million total primetime viewer average for the week is -7% from what the network averaged the previous week (Oct. 16, 2023) and the 239,000 A25-54 average is -5% from the week prior.

MSNBC, like Fox News, saw a slight dip in primetime viewing this past week. The network’s 1.25 million total primetime viewer average for the week is No. 4 on all of basic cable (behind ESPN, Fox News and TBS), and its 123,000 A25-54 primetime viewer average is No. 17 on all of basic cable for the second consecutive week. In total day, MSNBC held relatively steady. 

With the news cycle still hot, CNN once again trended nicely in its primetime performance. The network averaged 762,000 total viewers and 189,000 Adults 25-54 in primetime this past week. Unlike in primetime, CNN saw a dip in total day viewing. 

Lastly, according to Nielsen Media Research, upstart cable news network NewsNation had its most-watched week in total day ever (67,000 total viewers, 13,000 A25-54 viewers). Compared to the year-ago week, the network’s weekday primetime slate is up by double-digit percentage points in multiple demos and dayparts.

Graphics Courtesy of RoadMN (w/permission)

Fox News had the six most-watched daily cable news offerings for the week of Oct. 23, led once again by The Five, averaging 3.06 million total viewers at 5 p.m.

Jesse Watters Primetime secured second place among all daily cable news shows with a 2.585 million total viewer average at 8 p.m., followed by Hannity (2.39 million at 9 p.m.), Special Report with Bret Baier (2.33 million at 6 p.m.), The Ingraham Angle (2.22 million at 7 p.m.) and Gutfeld! (1.85 million at 10 p.m.).

MSNBC’s The Beat with Ari Melber is the most-watched non-Fox News cable news show of the week, coming in at No. 7 with a 1.78 million viewer average at 6 p.m.

For the first time in its brief history, CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip is the top-rated non-Fox News cable news show in the A25-54 demo. It finished No. 8 this past week with a 226,000 average in the measurement at 10 p.m.

📺BROADCAST EVENING NEWS

“World News Tonight with David Muir” ranked as the No. 1 evening newscast in all of broadcast and cable in Total Viewers (7.732 million), Adults 25-54 (1.076 million) and Adults 18-49 (742,000) during the week of Oct. 23, 2023, based on Live + Same Day Data from Nielsen Media Research.

“World News Tonight” outperformed “NBC Nightly News” (6.599 million, 1.056 million and 689,000, respectively) by 1.133 million Total Viewers, by 20,000 Adults 25-54 and by 53,000 Adults 18-49.

“World News Tonight” anchor and managing editor David Muir originated the broadcast live from Maine on Thursday following the mass shooting in Lewiston.

“World News Tonight” was the No. 2 program of the week in Total Viewers (7.732 million) on all of broadcast and cable television (excluding sports).

“World News Tonight” has won the last 256 of 257 weeks in Total Viewers and 185 of the last 187 in Adults 25-54.

📺BROADCAST MORNING NEWS

“Good Morning America” ranked as the No. 1 morning newscast in Total Viewers (3.047 million) for the week of Oct. 23, 2023, based on Live + Same Day Data from Nielsen Media Research. “GMA” outperformed NBC’s “Today” (2.738 million) by 309,000. “GMA” widened its lead over the NBC program both week to week (+8%; vs. 286,000) and year to year (+47%; vs. 210,000).

Season to date, “GMA” (2.994 million) is ranking as the No. 1 morning newscast in Total Viewers for the 12th straight year — since the 2012-2013 season. “GMA” is leading NBC’s “Today” (2.752 million) by 242,000.

During the week, “GMA” (3.047 million, 601,000 and 407,000, respectively) defeated “CBS Mornings” (2.231 million, 448,000 and 227,000, respectively) in Total Viewers (+816,000), Adults 25-54 (+153,000) and Adults 18-49 (+136,000).