MSNBC, CNN Ratings Drop Post-Election, Fox News Holds Steady

MSNBC and CNN have experienced a significant decline in viewership following the 2024 U.S. presidential election, with both networks seeing ratings fall by over 40% compared to the weeks leading up to the election, according to Nielsen data. MSNBC, which is known for its left-leaning programming, saw its primetime audience drop by 53%, from 1.34 million viewers in the week before the election to just 632,000 by the week ending November 24. CNN also experienced a sharp decline, with its viewership falling from 754,000 to 398,000 over the same period. Fox News, by contrast, has managed to retain most of its audience, seeing only a modest decrease from 2.67 million viewers to 2.63 million viewers.

This drop in viewership for MSNBC and CNN is not entirely unexpected. News networks often experience fluctuations in audience size following major events like elections, as viewers typically move on from the intense political coverage once the results are settled. However, the size of the viewership decline for both networks stands out, especially compared to Fox News, which has maintained its audience despite the end of the election cycle. MSNBC and CNN’s challenges in retaining viewers could reflect broader patterns of political fatigue, with audiences moving away from news outlets that have been heavily focused on election coverage and related issues.

Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and vocal Trump ally, has added an extra layer of intrigue to the situation. Recently, Musk sparked speculation by tweeting about the possibility of purchasing MSNBC, commenting “how much does it cost?” in response to a post shared by Donald Trump Jr. Musk’s tweet followed a false claim that Comcast, the parent company of MSNBC, was putting the network up for sale. While Comcast has made clear that it is not seeking to sell MSNBC, instead planning to spin off its cable networks into a separate company, Musk’s public remarks have fueled curiosity about his potential interest in the network. Musk has previously expressed disdain for MSNBC, calling it “utter scum of the earth” on social media after the network criticized a rally held by Trump at Madison Square Garden.

On election night, Fox News dominated the ratings, attracting 10 million viewers during its primetime coverage, according to The New York Times. MSNBC followed with 6 million viewers, marking the first time in the network’s history that it outperformed CNN, which garnered 5.1 million viewers. Despite the strong election-night ratings, MSNBC has faced significant viewership declines since then, with its programming criticized by some viewers for its tone and direction. This criticism intensified when MSNBC hosts Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough, of the show “Morning Joe,” met with Donald Trump shortly after the election. The meeting sparked backlash on social media, with some questioning the hosts’ decision to engage with Trump after their outspoken criticism of him during the election campaign. The day following the meeting, the show saw a drop in viewership, from its usual average of 1.09 million to just 680,000.

Brzezinski defended the meeting by stating that it was necessary to “do something different” by engaging directly with Trump, rather than just discussing him on air. She argued that the show would shift its focus to a more balanced approach, engaging in dialogue with both political sides. Trump, for his part, described the meeting as “very positive” and suggested that he and the hosts would likely speak again in the future. Despite the attempt to recalibrate the tone of the show, the backlash from viewers was apparent, with the network’s viewership continuing to slide.

The loss of viewers for both MSNBC and CNN underscores the broader trend of changing media consumption habits in the post-election period. While election-related coverage typically attracts large audiences, the post-election lull often leaves news networks scrambling to maintain engagement. For MSNBC and CNN, this has meant not only dealing with audience fatigue but also adjusting to the political dynamics of the current media landscape. In contrast, Fox News’ ability to hold onto its viewers after the election suggests that networks with a more solid ideological base may have an advantage in retaining loyal audiences.

Moving forward, MSNBC and CNN may need to reassess their programming strategies to ensure they can retain their viewers in an increasingly fragmented media environment. For now, it remains to be seen whether the networks can bounce back from these post-election declines or if the political fatigue experienced by viewers will persist. The involvement of figures like Elon Musk only adds further complexity to the equation, as media ownership and political influence continue to shape the future of news consumption. As these networks navigate these challenges, their ability to adapt to the changing media landscape will likely determine their future success in the highly competitive news industry.