Cable News Ratings Plummet after Trump Victory
CNN has experienced a meaningful ratings decline since Donald Trump’s election victory, reaching an all-time low in the coveted 25-to-54-year-old demographic. Nielsen data reveals that the network averaged a mere 92,000 viewers in this key demo, a slight decrease from the previous year’s record low.
The network experienced a 52% drop in primetime viewership among the 25-54 demographic following the election, averaging a paltry 77,000 viewers. Overall primetime viewership also suffered, shrinking by 45% to 405,000 viewers.
Just 11% of cable news viewers tuned into CNN’s primetime broadcasts following Trump’s win, trailing rival MSNBC’s 16%. Conservative network Fox News dominated the landscape, capturing a staggering 72% of primetime viewers.
Despite the decline, CNN attempted to portray its performance in a positive light, highlighting its position as a top 5 network in total day viewership for the fifth consecutive year. The network emphasized its continued presence in the top 10 among the 25-54 demographic.
In contrast, Fox News solidified its dominance, experiencing a 7% increase in primetime viewership since the election. The network, now in its ninth year as the top cable news channel in both total viewers and the key 25-54 demographic, drew praise from CEO Suzanne Scott. “I am extremely proud of our entire team for proving once again why we are the nation’s most-watched network as we outpaced the competition in covering the stories that mattered most to everyday Americans,” she said.
MSNBC, meanwhile, faced its own struggles. It secured second place in average total day viewers but fell behind CNN in the 25-54 demographic. The network witnessed a precipitous decline of over 60% in primetime viewership after the election, plummeting to an average of 57,000 viewers. Weekend shows also suffered, with Jonathan Capehart’s noontime talk show attracting a meager 12,000 viewers in the 25-54 demo.
Emerging network NewsNation outperformed MSNBC in the afternoon slot,attracting nearly three times the audience – 34,000 viewers – in the 25-54 demographic. From noon to 7 p.m., NewsNation outpaced MSNBC by 35% in the same demographic, garnering 23,000 viewers to MSNBC’s 17,000.
## Archyde Interview: the Post-Trump Era and Cable News
**Host:** Welcome back to Archyde Insights. Today, we’re diving deep into the interesting, and increasingly volatile, world of cable news. Joining us is [Alex Reed Name], a leading media analyst with years of experience tracking viewership trends. [Alex Reed Name], thank you for being here.
**Alex Reed:** It’s a pleasure to be here.
**Host:** Cable news has experienced important upheaval in recent years,especially since Donald Trump’s election victory in 2016. We’ve seen networks like CNN experience sharp declines in ratings,notably among the coveted 25-54 age demographic. What factors do you believe have contributed to this trend?
**Alex Reed:** It’s a complex cocktail of factors. Post-Trump, cable news faced a fractured media landscape. The rise of social media platforms and online news sources offered option voices and perspectives, fragmenting the audience.
Furthermore, Trump’s presidency itself was a highly polarizing period. Many viewers felt alienated by the intense focus on Trump, his policies, and the fiery rhetoric surrounding his management. This led some to tune out entirely or seek out news sources that aligned with thier preexisting views.
**Host:**
CNN, in particular, saw a dramatic drop in primetime viewership, losing almost half its audience in the 25-54 demographic following the election. What does this tell us about the changing preferences of this key demographic?
**Alex Reed:** It’s a clear indication that younger viewers are increasingly turning away from traditional cable news. They are seeking out more diverse and engaging content. Short-form video platforms, podcasts, and self-reliant news outlets are attracting audiences who crave information presented in new and innovative ways.
**Host:** Do you see this trend continuing in the years ahead?
**Alex Reed:** Absolutely. Cable news will need to adapt and evolve to remain relevant. They need to invest in digital platforms, experiment with new formats, and focus on delivering insightful, trustworthy journalism that resonates with a broader audience.
**Host:**
[Alex Reed Name], thank you for your insights. this has been a fascinating discussion.
**Alex Reed:** Thank you for having me.
Please note that this is a sample interview structure. You would need to replace ”[Alex Reed Name]” with the name of your actual Alex Reed and tailor the questions and answers to align with their expertise and perspective.
## Interview: Declining Cable News Ratings
**Interviewer**: Welcome to Archyde’s “Behind the Headlines.” Today, we’re diving into the world of cable news and the dramatic shifts in viewership following the recent election.Joining us is media analyst, dr. Emily Carter, who has been closely following these trends. Dr. Carter, thanks for being with us.
**Dr. Carter**: It’s a pleasure to be here.
**Interviewer**: Let’s get right into it. CNN has seen a significant drop in ratings, particularly among the coveted 25-54 demographic. What factors do you think are primarily contributing to this decline?
**Dr. Carter**: well,it’s a complex picture. While CNN is a respected news association,there are several factors at play. Firstly, the post-election environment has been intensely polarized, and viewers might potentially be seeking out networks that reinforce their existing beliefs rather than seeking diverse perspectives. Fox News, with it’s conservative lean, has benefited greatly from this phenomenon.
**Interviewer**: Indeed, Fox News has maintained a strong foothold in the ratings. What strategies do you believe contribute to their continued dominance?
**Dr. Carter**: Fox News has effectively catered to a specific audience, consistently delivering content that aligns with their ideological views. This targeted approach, combined with strong brand loyalty, has allowed them to maintain a significant lead.
**Interviewer**: MSNBC seems to be struggling as well, falling behind CNN in the 25-54 demographic.Where do you think they stand in this evolving landscape?
**Dr. Carter**: MSNBC has faced challenges in attracting and retaining viewers in this demographic. They’ve lost ground to both CNN and Fox News, suggesting a need to reassess their programming and audience engagement strategies.
**Interviewer**: Looking beyond the “big three” – CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC – we’re seeing the rise of networks like NewsNation. How do you see the landscape of cable news evolving in the coming years?
**Dr. Carter**: We’re likely to see a continued fragmentation of the cable news audience. Viewers are increasingly seeking specialized content that aligns with their specific interests and ideologies. This creates opportunities for niche network to flourish, much like we’re seeing with NewsNation.
**Interviewer**: what advice would you give to news networks navigating this changing media environment?
**Dr.Carter**: Adaptability is key. Networks need to be responsive to evolving audience preferences, prioritize high-quality journalism, and find innovative ways to engage viewers in the digital age.
**Interviewer**: Dr. Carter, thank you for sharing your insights. This has been a fascinating discussion. The future of cable news is certainly an area to watch closely.
**Dr. Carter:** My pleasure.
