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Despite being a newsy month, October did not deliver a standout news moment that drew large audiences to cable news networks. MSNBC was the only network to record gains in primetime across total viewers and the Adults 25-54 demo during the month. The network marked its first month as an independent network, separated from the NBCUniversal News Group, and, at the same time, marked the final full month of its 35-year history as MSNBC. Moving forward under the MS NOW moniker, the network was a bright spot during the total day part, as it was the only network not to lose viewers in the demo, but it joined Fox News and CNN in shedding total viewers. According to Nielsen big data + panel, Fox News in October had 2.334 million total viewers in primetime and 228,000 viewers in the Adults 25-54 demo. During total day, it had 1.508 million total viewers and 145,000 viewers in the demo. Compared to its performance in September 2025, Fox News declined by -8% in total viewers and -19% in the A25-54 demo during primetime viewing hours. During total day, it also fell by -6% in total viewers and -19% in the demo when compared to the previous month—it was the only cable news network to see a double-digit loss in the demo during this daypart. Looking at Fox News’ performance against the same month in 2024, it was down by -15% in total viewers and by -36% in the demo during prime. While in total day, it was down by -7% in total viewers and -32% in the demo. The network finished October as the No. 2 cable network in total viewers and fourth in the demo during primetime. During total day, it was in first place in total viewers and was the No. 2 network in the demo. MSNBC took second place among the most-watched cable news networks in primetime and total day, with 815,000 and 504,000 total viewers, respectively, in October. The network in the A25-54 demo had 73,000 viewers in primetime and 45,000 viewers during total day. Compared to September, MSNBC was up +1% in total viewers and +6% in A25-54 during primetime. However, during total day, it fell by -1% in total viewers but was flat in the demo. Looking at its performance in October 2024, MSNBC was down -41% in total viewers and -54% in the demo during primetime. It was down -44% in total viewers and -54% in the demo during total day. MSNBC was in fifth place during primetime and was also the No. 3 news network in total viewers during total day. It finished in the No. 19 position in the demo during primetime, and it was in 14th place in the demo during total day. During primetime in October, CNN had 504,000 total viewers and 77,000 A25-54 viewers. When looking at total day, the network had 388,000 total viewers and 58,000 demo viewers. Compared to the previous month, CNN was down -7% in total viewers and -11% in the demo during primetime. It also fell by -3% in total viewers and -6% in the demo during total day. When looking at its performance to the same month in 2024 during primetime, it was down -39% in total viewers and -56% in the demo. In total day, CNN lost viewers by -27% and -42% in total viewers and the demo, respectively. CNN finished in the No. 6 position during primetime and in fifth place in total day in total viewers. Its position in the demo was No. 17 in primetime and finished in eighth place during total day, tied with the Food Network. Looking at the October performance of the other news nets: NewsNation – The network’s primetime viewership increased by more than 20% in total viewers and 10% in the demo, averaging 108,000 and 12,000 viewers, respectively. Cuomo remains the top program in total viewers and A25-54 with 168,000 and 16,000 viewers, respectively. Fox Business – The network was ahead of CNBC during business day, market hours, and total day in total viewers. Varney & Co. was the top show in total viewers with 267,000 viewers, while Making Money with Charles Payne took the top spot in the demo, with 13,000 viewers. CNBC – It finished in front of Fox Business in the demo during business day, market hours, and total day. Fast Money Halftime Report was the most-watched program in total viewers with 165,000. Squawk on the Street was the most-watched program in the A25-54 demo with 37,000 viewers. Newsmax – Rob Schmitt Tonight was the net’s top show in total viewers and the demo with 379,000 and 32,000 viewers, respectively. PROGRAMMING Fox News – The Five was the most-watched program in Total Viewers (3.692 million at 5 p.m. ET). Gutfeld! was in first place in the advertiser-coveted demo of A25-54 with 325,000 viewers. MSNBC – Its most-watched show in total viewers and the demo continued to be The Rachel Maddow Show (1.639 million and 156,000 viewers, respectively, at 9 p.m. ET). CNN – For the second month in a row, The Arena with Kasie Hunt at 4 p.m. ET was the network’s top performer in total viewers, with 611,000, and in the A25-54 demo, NewsNight with Abby Phillip at 10 p.m. ET was in first place with 95,000 viewers. Among Total Viewers The Five – Fox News – (3,692,000) Jesse Watters Primetime – Fox News – (3,073,000) Gutfeld! – Fox News – (2,825,000) Special Report with Bret Baier – Fox News – (2,768,000) Hannity – Fox News – (2,567,000) The Ingraham Angle – Fox News – (2,555,000) The Will Cain Show – Fox News – (2,235,000) Outnumbered – Fox News – (1,975,000) America’s Newsroom – Fox News – (1,966,000) The Faulkner Focus – Fox News – ( 1,940,000) The Story with Martha MacCallum – Fox News (1,897,000) America Reports – Fox News – (1,890,000) The Rachel Maddow Show – MSNBC – (1,639,000) Fox News @Night – Fox News – (1,451,000) Fox & Friends – Fox News – (1,281,000) Among Adults 25-54 Gutfeld! – Fox News – (325,000) The Five – Fox News – (304,000) Jesse Watters Primetime – Fox News – (295,000) Hannity – Fox News – (251,000) Special Report with Bret Baier – Fox News – (249,000) The Ingraham Angle – Fox News – (235,000) Outnumbered – Fox News – (210,000) The Will Cain Show – Fox News – (198,000) America Reports – Fox News – (193,000) The Faulkner Focus – Fox News – (187,000) America’s Newsroom – Fox News – (181,000) The Story with Martha MacCallum – Fox News – (176,000) Fox News @Night – Fox News – (168,000) The Rachel Maddow Show – MSNBC – (156,000) Fox and Friends – Fox News – (134,000) October 2025 Cable News Ratings (Nielsen Live+SD data): Oct'25 P25-54 Cable Ranker BDP by Adweek
