MSNBC Ratings - What's Happening With Viewership

The world of television news keeps shifting, and how many people are watching is always a big topic of conversation. It seems that what folks choose to tune into changes with the seasons, and sometimes even faster than that. For channels like MSNBC, keeping an audience happy and engaged is a constant effort, you know, a bit of a balancing act.

When we look at the numbers for cable news, especially from early 2025, there's a clear picture forming. Fox News, for instance, often holds the top spot, but other channels like MSNBC and CNN have shown periods where their viewership numbers perked up. Then again, there are times when those same channels see their audience shrink, which, in some respects, makes the whole thing a bit of a puzzle to figure out.

This up-and-down pattern in how many people are watching really tells a story about what's going on in the news business. It reflects what stories are capturing people's attention, what new programs are hitting the airwaves, and how leadership changes might affect what viewers see. We'll take a closer look at what's been going on with MSNBC's viewership, just to see what the numbers tell us.

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Table of Contents

• MSNBC - A Brief Look at Its Place in News
• What's the Story with MSNBC Ratings Lately?
• Changes at the Top and on the Screen
• How Have Leadership Shifts Affected MSNBC Ratings?
• Big Moments and Their Impact on Viewing
• Did Big Events Shake Up MSNBC Ratings?
• Where MSNBC Stands in the Current Media Picture
• Where Do MSNBC Ratings Stand Now in the News Landscape?

MSNBC - A Brief Look at Its Place in News

MSNBC, as a television channel in the United States, has been around for quite a while now, having first appeared on screens back on July 15, 1996. For many years, it has been a consistent presence for those seeking out news and commentary. It’s been a place where people go for in-depth reports during the daytime hours and often presents more opinion-based shows when the evening comes around. This approach, you know, has always been a key part of its identity, trying to serve different viewing appetites throughout the day.

Looking at its general standing, MSNBC has, at times, been quite popular. It was, for a period, considered the seventh most popular channel on television, attracting a sizable number of people who wanted to keep up with current events. This kind of broad appeal means it has a solid spot in many homes, even if its position can shift. It’s a channel that, basically, has built up a loyal following over the years, which is a pretty big deal in the competitive world of cable television.

What's the Story with MSNBC Ratings Lately?

The story of MSNBC's viewership numbers, particularly through 2025, shows a picture with some ups and downs. For example, when January 2025 rolled around, the cable news ratings showed that while Fox News was still leading the pack, both MSNBC and CNN actually experienced a bit of a comeback. This suggested a fresh start for the new year, a moment where some viewers, you know, seemed to be returning to these channels after perhaps a period of less consistent viewing. It’s a sign that audiences can, and often do, shift their attention.

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However, as the year moved into May, the situation changed somewhat. The ratings for cable news networks, including MSNBC, CNN, and Fox News, were released, and they told a different tale. While Fox News continued to demonstrate what looked like impressive growth in its audience, MSNBC and CNN, on the other hand, saw continued declines. This particular set of numbers indicated that the earlier bounce back for MSNBC might have been short-lived, or perhaps just a temporary blip in a longer trend. It just goes to show how quickly things can turn around in the media world, for better or for worse.

More specifically, reports from May indicated that MSNBC's overall viewership numbers took a hit, experiencing a drop. This occurred as the network was in the midst of making significant changes to who was hosting their programs. It seemed that the prime time lineup, in particular, was not quite connecting with its audience as much as the network might have hoped. This disconnect between the programming and what viewers wanted to watch, you know, can have a direct impact on those all-important viewership figures. It's almost as if viewers are signaling their preferences with their remote controls.

There was even a point where the network's viewership numbers plummeted quite dramatically. One report suggested a drop of nearly 50% in the crucial 9 p.m. hour. This period was especially challenging for the channel, which was also, you know, expected to be spun off by its parent company, Comcast, later in the year. Such a substantial drop in viewership, especially in a key time slot, certainly highlights the challenges a news organization faces when its audience starts to drift away. It points to a need for careful consideration of what resonates with people.

Changes at the Top and on the Screen

Leadership decisions often play a significant role in how a television channel performs, and MSNBC is no exception. Rebecca Kutler, who held the position of president at MSNBC, made some notable adjustments. These changes were put in place with the intention of bringing a fresh burst of energy into the network's prime time programming and, very importantly, to broaden its appeal to a wider range of viewers. It’s always a big task to try and shake things up in a way that attracts new eyes while keeping the existing audience happy, you know, a delicate balance.

One of the more visible changes under Kutler's direction involved the cancellation of a program hosted by Joy Reid, known as 'The ReidOut.' Decisions like these are never taken lightly, as they affect not just the host and their team, but also the regular viewers who have grown accustomed to a particular show. Such moves are often aimed at creating space for new formats or different voices, all in the hope of, you know, sparking renewed interest and improving the overall viewership numbers for the channel.

The network also introduced new programs, such as 'The Weeknight.' This show made its debut on MSNBC on Monday, May 5, 2025. Introducing new content is a common strategy to refresh a lineup and potentially capture different segments of the audience. 'The Weeknight' quickly found its place, becoming the eighth most popular show on MSNBC, which, you know, indicates that some of these programming shifts did manage to connect with a portion of the audience, at least for a while. It’s a constant effort to find what works best.

How Have Leadership Shifts Affected MSNBC Ratings?

The impact of leadership shifts on MSNBC ratings can be seen in various periods. When the network was restructuring its hosting lineup, for instance, its viewership numbers, in some respects, took a hit. This suggests that changes to familiar faces or program structures can sometimes cause viewers to look elsewhere, at least temporarily. It's a bit like when your favorite coffee shop changes its menu; you might try the new items, or you might just go somewhere else for a bit, you know, until you find something you like again.

The arrival of new talent can also shake things up. Jen Psaki, who gained recognition as the press secretary for a former president, took over the 9 p.m. slot with her new show, 'The Briefing.' This program replaced the show that was previously in that time slot. Since its launch, her show has, on average, drawn around 971,000 viewers. This particular figure shows that while some changes might lead to dips, others, like the introduction of a well-known personality, can actually bring in a consistent number of people. It’s a testament to the drawing power of familiar public figures, you know, when they step into a new role.

However, even with new programs, the overall picture for MSNBC ratings has been varied. During May 2025, for example, while Fox News saw a considerable increase in its prime time viewership, with an average of 2.46 million people tuning in, MSNBC's average for the same period was 877,000 viewers. This difference, basically, highlights the challenge of maintaining a competitive edge in a crowded field. It shows that even with efforts to revitalize the lineup, the gap with the top competitor remained quite wide, indicating that, you know, there's still work to be done to attract a larger share of the audience.

Big Moments and Their Impact on Viewing

External events can have a very real influence on how many people tune into news channels. For example, the threat of widespread conflict in the Middle East and the involvement of the United States in such matters became major news stories. During periods when these kinds of significant global events are unfolding, news channels often see a surge in viewership as people seek out information and updates. It’s a time when, you know, the public's need for reliable news becomes particularly strong, driving them to their television sets.

On the other hand, certain events, even popular ones, can draw viewers away from news. The March Madness basketball tournaments, as reported by Adweek, had a noticeable effect on cable news viewership. During this time, MSNBC, along with CNN and Fox News, all experienced a dip in their numbers. This suggests that when big entertainment or sports events are happening, people might choose to watch those instead of the news, at least for a while. It’s a reminder that, you know, news channels are always competing for attention, not just with other news outlets, but with all forms of media.

Political events, in particular, can cause dramatic shifts in viewership. After a particularly high election night, MSNBC's viewership numbers saw a significant drop on a subsequent Thursday. This suggested a possible shift in the mood of viewers regarding political coverage, especially following a loss for Kamala Harris. It’s almost as if some viewers, feeling the weight of election results, might choose to step away from political news for a bit, you know, to process or simply to take a break from the intensity.

Did Big Events Shake Up MSNBC Ratings?

Big events have certainly shaken up MSNBC ratings, sometimes in surprising ways. Following the victory of Donald Trump, for instance, MSNBC's audience saw a significant reduction, almost by half. This was attributed to what was described as "exhausted" liberal viewers who, feeling down about the election results, simply tuned out. This kind of audience reaction shows how deeply personal political outcomes can be for viewers, affecting their willingness to engage with news that might, you know, remind them of upsetting events. It’s a very human response to disappointment.

Looking at specific quarterly and monthly data from 2025 gives us a clearer picture of these shifts. For the first quarter of 2025, the TV news ratings recap from TVNewser showed that it was, in some respects, a challenging start to the new year on multiple fronts for various networks. These broader trends often affect individual channels, even if they have their own specific ups and downs. It suggests that the overall media environment can, you know, influence how many people are watching.

In the second quarter of 2025, the TV news ratings were in, and while ABC News continued to lead on broadcast television and Fox News remained dominant on cable, MSNBC still held its own in certain categories. For example, MSNBC ranked as the number two cable news network among total viewers during prime time and for the entire day. Specifically, it pulled in 877,000 viewers in prime time and 545,000 for the total day. This indicates that despite some declines, it still maintained a strong position relative to its competitors, which is, you know, quite a feat in a crowded market.

The network also showed strength in October, finishing as the number two cable news network in both prime time and total day viewership. During its prime time lineup in October, it attracted 1.390 million total viewers and 160,000 in the key demographic. These numbers suggest that certain periods or specific programming choices can lead to stronger performances, basically, showing that the audience is there to be captured if the content resonates. It's a constant effort to find that sweet spot, you know, where content and audience preferences align.

Where MSNBC Stands in the Current Media Picture

When we look at the overall picture, MSNBC has consistently held a particular spot in the cable news world. It has, for the most part, remained firmly in second place in the race for viewership among cable news networks, sitting behind Fox News but ahead of CNN. This position indicates a stable base of viewers who regularly choose MSNBC for their news consumption. It's a consistent showing that, you know, demonstrates a solid foundation, even with all the changes happening around it.

However, this second-place position doesn't mean it's been smooth sailing all the time. There have been moments where MSNBC hit what were considered record lows, with a drop of 41% among prime time viewers, according to Mediaite. Furthermore, the network's viewership numbers dropped a total of 34% when compared to May of the previous year, 2024. These significant drops, basically, highlight periods of considerable challenge, showing that even established channels can face periods where their audience shrinks quite a bit. It’s a constant battle to maintain viewership in a world with so many choices.

Even during these challenging times, certain data points show its continued presence. For the month of January, MSNBC ranked as the number two cable news network in both prime time and total day viewership, attracting 734,000 and 506,000 viewers, respectively. These figures, you know, demonstrate that even with fluctuations, the channel retains a substantial audience, especially when compared to other players in the news space. It means that a considerable number of people still turn to MSNBC for their daily dose of information and commentary.

Where Do MSNBC Ratings Stand Now in the News Landscape?

In the broader news landscape, MSNBC's ratings show a mixed but generally consistent pattern. During what is referred to as "total day" viewing, MSNBC typically finds itself in third place among total viewers. However, when it comes to a particular demographic, it lands in twelfth place. This difference between overall viewership and performance within a specific age or interest group is, you know, something that channels constantly analyze. It suggests that while it has a good general reach, there might be particular segments of the audience that are harder to capture or retain.

The competition is always fierce, and the numbers from May 2025 prime time programming underscore this. While MSNBC had an average of 877,000 viewers, Fox News was up by 23%, with an average of 2.46 million viewers. This contrast, basically, paints a clear picture of the current pecking order in cable news. It shows that even with efforts to refresh content and talent, there's a significant gap to bridge to reach the top spot, which is, you know, a goal for any news organization. The viewing habits of the public are complex, and getting people to tune in consistently is a big task.