CNN continues to experience significant declines in TV ratings, continuing a trend of challenges in the cable news landscape.
For the week of May 12, 2025, CNN averaged 405,000 total viewers and 74,000 in the 25-54 demographic during primetime, reflecting a 16% drop in total viewers and an 11% drop in the demo compared to the previous year.
Total day viewership was down 28% in total viewers (to 411,000) and 29% in the demo. These figures mark some of CNN’s lowest ratings, with the first quarter of 2025 being the network’s least-watched quarter ever in the 25-54 demo, averaging 121,000 viewers.
Despite occasional week-to-week gains, such as a 7% primetime viewership increase in March 2025 compared to February, CNN has struggled to maintain audience share against competitors. Fox News dominated with 2.499 million primetime viewers for the same week, while MSNBC averaged 811,000. CNN’s performance has been impacted by broader industry trends like cord-cutting and competition from digital platforms, as well as specific events like March Madness affecting viewership.
Shows like The Lead with Jake Tapper (662,000 viewers) and NewsNight with Abby Phillip (710,000 viewers) remain among CNN’s stronger performers, but the network has consistently trailed Fox News, which held 99 of the top 100 cable news telecasts for the week of May 12.
The release of Jake Tapper’s book Original Sin, co-authored with Alex Thompson, has drawn attention to CNN and Tapper himself, but it hasn’t translated into a ratings boost. The book’s focus on former President Biden’s fitness has sparked controversy, with critics like Megyn Kelly accusing Tapper and CNN of underreporting Biden’s condition, potentially alienating some viewers. This aligns with broader public distrust in media, as reflected in polls showing low favorability for political parties and institutions, which may further depress CNN’s audience.
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