Week of April 21 Cable News Ratings: CNN is Only Network to See Gains in a Busy Sports Week

This is TVNewser’s basic cable network ranker and cable news report for the week of April 21, 2025.

CNN managed to stand apart from its cable news rivals with week-to-week gains during primetime and total day.

Overall, the cable networks faced heavy competition from the sports world between the NFL Draft, the NBA and NHL playoffs, and the start of MLB season.

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According to Nielsen Live Plus, same-day data, FNC averaged 2.333 million total viewers and 249,000 A25-54 viewers during primetime. It outpaced NBC with weekday total viewers by 2.7 million to 2.6 million. Fox News was down -6% in total viewers and -11% in the demo relative to the week prior.

During total day, FNC averaged 1.508 million total viewers and 175,000 A25-54 viewers for week-to-week declines of -6% and -14%, respectively.

Among all basic cable networks, Fox News slipped to second place in total primetime viewers and dropped from third to fifth in the demo. In total day, it held onto first position in total viewers and dropped from No. 2 to No. 3 in total day.

MSNBC’s primetime lineup averaged 1.187 million total viewers and 100,000 A25-54 viewers for week-to-week declines of -1% and -7%, respectively.

During total day, MSNBC averaged 637,000 total viewers and 58,000 demo viewers for respective dips of -1% and -2% in those measured categories.

Among all basic cable networks, MSNBC placed fourth in total primetime viewers and 15th in the demo. It also finished fourth in total day total viewers and fell from 12th to 14th in the total day demo.

CNN averaged 449,000 total primetime viewers and 85,000 A25-54 viewers for a decline of -4% in the former category, but a +1% uptick in the latter—the only network with gains during primetime.

In total day, CNN averaged 389,000 total viewers and 60,000 A25-54 viewers in the demo for a +2% gain in the former category and a -5% dip in the latter—once again, the only network with a gain during this daypart.

On the basic cable charts, CNN fell from No. 9 to No. 12 in total viewers during primetime and dropped No. 21 in the primetime demo. During total day, it stayed at fifth place among total viewers, and landed at No. 12  in the demo.

When looking at these networks’ performance during the same period a year ago:

• During primetime, Fox News increased by +21% in total viewers and +28% in the A25-54 demo. During total day, the network saw gains of +19% in total viewers and +14% in the demo.
• MSNBC fell -17% in total viewers and -25% in the demo. During total day, the network was down -35% in total viewers and -43% in the demo.
•  In primetime, CNN saw losses of -42% in total viewers and -32% in the demo. During total day, it fell by -33% in total viewers and -39% in the demo.