TV Ratings: Viewers Remain Focused on Israel-Hamas War

With Nielsen live plus same day data for last week officially in, 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 1.28 million total viewers, No. 1 on all of basic cable, and 148,000 A25-54 viewers, No. 2 on all of basic cable, behind live sports-focused ESPN. The 1.28 million and 148,000 are -9% and -15%, respectively, from what Fox averaged for the week prior (week of Oct. 23, 2023).

In primetime, Fox News moved up to No. 1 on basic cable in average total viewers (1.86 million) bypassing ESPN (1.74 million). However, the network dropped to No. 6 in the key A25-54 demo (203,000), behind live sports-focused ESPN, USA, TNT, Hallmark and TBS. While more than CNN and MSNBC combined, Fox News’ 1.86 million total primetime viewer average for the week is -10% from what the network averaged the previous week, and its 203,000 A25-54 average in primetime is -15% from the week prior.

MSNBC, like Fox News, saw a dip in viewing this past week. The network averaged 1.16 million total primetime viewers and just 110,000 A25-54 viewers in the daypart for the week of Oct. 30, -7% and -11%, respectively, from what the network averaged the previous week. MSNBC’s 1.16 million total primetime viewer average for the week is No. 3 on all of basic cable (behind Fox News and ESPN) up one spot from the week prior, and its 110,000 A25-54 primetime viewer average is No. 20 on all of basic cable, down three spots from the week prior.

In total day, MSNBC averaged 822,000 total viewers and 87,000 A25-54 viewers for the week of Oct. 30, -9% and -14%, respectively, from the week prior. The 822,000 total day viewer average places MSNBC at No. 2 on basic cable (behind FNC), steady from the prior week, while the 87,000 A25-54 average is No. 10 on all of basic cable, down three spots from the week prior.

After a hot streak, CNN the most substantial week-to-week audience drop-off out of cable news’ big three. The network averaged 554,000 total viewers and 127,000 Adults 25-54 in primetime this past week, -27% and -33% respectively, from what the network averaged the previous week.  The 554,000 total primetime viewer average from last week places CNN at No. 14 on all of basic cable, down six spots from the week before, and the 127,000 A25-54 primetime viewer average for the week is No. 7 on all of basic cable, up one spot from the week before.

CNN also saw a dip in total day viewing. The network averaged 492,000 total viewers and 99,000 A25-54 viewers, -20% and -25%, respectively, from the week prior. The 492,000 total viewer average places CNN tied with TBS at No. 10 on all of basic cable, down six spots from the week prior, while the 99,000 A25-54 average places CNN also at No. 7 on all of basic cable, down two spots from the week prior.

Graphics Courtesy of RoadMN (w/permission)

As per Nielsen live plus same day data, Fox News had the six most-watched daily cable news offerings for the second consecutive week, led once again by The Five, averaging 2.97 million total viewers at 5 p.m.

Jesse Watters Primetime secured second place among all daily cable news shows with a 2.511 million total viewer average at 8 p.m., followed by Hannity (2.29 million at 9 p.m.), Special Report with Bret Baier (2.22 million at 6 p.m.), The Ingraham Angle (2.14 million at 7 p.m.) and Gutfeld! (two million at 10 p.m.).

MSNBC’s two-hour show Deadline: White House is the most-watched non-Fox News cable news offering for the week, coming in at No. 7 with a 1.73 million total viewer average at 4-6 p.m.

Fox News boasts 13 of the top 15 cable news shows of the week among Adults 25-54, including each of the top 13. The Five (289,000), Jesse Watters Primetime (269,000), Gutfeld! (264,000), Hannity (256,000) and Special Report (227,000) rounds out the top five.

📺TOP 20 TELEVISION SHOW RANKING

Ranking is based on ratings data as of Thursday, November 2, 2023. 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.

📺BROADCAST EVENING NEWS

ABC's David Muir, CBS' Norah O'Donnell, NBC's Lester Holt

“World News Tonight with David Muir” stood as the No. 1 program of the week in Total Viewers (7.573 million) on all of broadcast and cable during the week of Oct. 30, 2023, 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 (7.573 million), Adults 25-54 (1.057 million) and Adults 18-49 (715,000). “World News Tonight” outperformed “NBC Nightly News” (6.766 million, 1.021 million and 715,000, respectively) by 807,000 Total Viewers and by 20,000 Adults 25-54.

On Wednesday (11/1/23), “World News Tonight” turned in its most-watched telecast (8.261 million) in 7 months — since 3/28/23.

“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 (+46,000 – 1.100 million vs. 1.054 million) and in Adults 18-49 (+46,000 – 756,000 vs. 710,000). In addition, “World News Tonight” is leading “CBS Evening News” (690,000 and 454,000, respectively) by 410,000 Adults 25-54 and by 302,000 Adults 18-49.

For the week, “World News Tonight” (7.573 million, 1.057 million and 715,000, respectively) defeated “CBS Evening News” (4.890 million, 742,000 and 525,000, respectively) by 2.683 Total Viewers, by 315,000 Adults 25-54, and by 190,000 Adults 18-49.

📺TV RATINGS: COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Week nine games: For the first time since “week zero,” no college football games cracked the seven million mark — or even six million — in week nine of the season. Georgia-Florida topped the charts with 5.95 million on CBS, followed by NBC’s Ohio State-Wisconsin at 4.87 million. Colorado viewership continues to pale in comparison to earlier in the season, but remained strong on Saturday as 4.66 million watched their loss to UCLA on ABC.