MSNBC Loses Almost HALF Its Viewers in Stunning Post-Election Ratings Report

(AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)

MSNBC is facing a staggering ratings collapse in the wake of the 2024 election, with the network’s audience shrinking by nearly half as Fox News became the only cable news outlet to show post-election growth.

According to Nielsen data, MSNBC’s total viewership has dropped by 47 percent post-election, and its critical 25-54 demographic plummeted to just 63,000 during primetime—a sharp contrast to its pre-election numbers.

“A post-election dip in viewership was always projected and internal thinking is that it will pick up in the New Year, post-inauguration,” a network source told Mediaite.

The source added that the drop is on par with 2016 post-Trump election win as well as over the summer following President Joe Biden’s debate performance, when the audience dipped before ticking back up. Indeed, in 2016, MSNBC viewership continued to dip not just right after the election but the week after that. In 2024, the drop for MSNBC has leveled off and has been flat week over week.

MSNBC’s position, however, is particularly stark compared to rival network Fox News, which solidified its dominance as the most-watched cable news network during and after the election.

While MSNBC pulled in 644,000 viewers in primetime, Fox News soared to 3.2 million, an 86 percent year-over-year increase in total viewers. In the coveted 25-54 demographic, Fox saw a 147 percent surge, averaging 476,000 viewers.

In total-day ratings, MSNBC’s struggles continued, drawing 497,000 viewers and only 49,000 in the 25-54 demo.

Adding to MSNBC’s challenges, several of its marquee programs, including The ReidOut and 11th Hour with Stephanie Ruhle, reached historic lows in the key 25-54 category. Across the board, the network trailed far behind Fox News and struggled to retain viewers, especially during significant post-election events.

Fox News, meanwhile, saw record-breaking growth, claiming 62 percent of the cable news audience in total-day ratings for November.

CNN also faced steep declines, losing 33 percent of its total audience. The last two weeks have been CNN’s lowest-rated weeks in more than 10 years.