CNN’s Real Ratings Revealed: Who’s Top & Who’s Lagging Behind?
The fierce ratings battle continues across the news networks, and CNN may have found themselves a new secret weapon when it comes to viewership, especially in the coveted adults 25-54 demographic.
Anderson Cooper has long been the face of CNN, yet he’s not always the top ratings-grabber. For example, last Thursday (March 13), Anderson Cooper 360 finished third for the evening in total viewers, with 707,000. This was behind Erin Burnett OutFront, which led the night for CNN with 714,000 viewers.
More surprisingly, perhaps, is the success of the still relatively new NewsNight with Abby Phillip, which finished second for the night in total viewers with 710,000 in the 10 pm ET hour. Phillip began anchoring the round table discussion show in October 2023, and the show continues to shine for CNN.
On Thursday, Phillip’s show topped the key demo for CNN with 153,000, ahead of Cooper at 141,000 and The Source with Kaitlan Collins at 139,000.
The success of Phillip’s late-night show has seen CNN experimenting with her as a host on Saturday morning shows, with CNN Saturday Morning Table for Five, taking the spot previously held by Chris Wallace.
Prior to joining CNN, Phillip worked for Politico, covering the Obama White House, The Washington Post as a national political reporter, and ABC News as a digital reporter for politics. She graduated from Harvard with a Bachelor of Arts in government in 2010; while at Harvard, she wrote for The Harvard Crimson.
CNN YouTube
NewsNight sees Phillip leading discussions on the hot topics of the day, featuring a round table of guests from across the political spectrum. The conversations can often get heated, as seen last week in a spat between The View‘s Ana Navarro and Shark Tank‘s Kevin O’Leary, or on Monday (March 17), when Phillip clashed with CNN GOP analyst Scott Jennings, who often causes friction on the show.
Viewers have shared positive comments about Phillip’s show, with one X user writing, “You do a good job of trying to host all sides of the argument. Wish you went down the middle a little more but you handle every argument with class and style @abbydphillip.”
“Just flipped the channel from Fox to CNN to see what was being said and found your show. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’ll continue to watch you and the other four. Great job!” said another.
“The best show with greatest moderator. Great balance,” another added.
Another wrote, “Great show, great team on the show.”
However, some fans are growing tired of Jennings’ contributions to the show, with one X commenter writing, “I no long watch your show because of that one guy who defends Trump on every point.”
“Not until Scott is gone. Refuse to watch your show if he will ever be a guest,” said another.
“Please, give Scott vacation days,” added one user.
“Are @ScottJenningsKY or @kevinolearytv on the show? If so, it’s a hard pass for me,” another wrote.
Do you watch NewsNight? What do you think of the show and Phillip as a host? Let us know your thoughts below.
CNN NewsNight, Weeknights, 10 pm et, CNN
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Scott Jennings constantly plays to the camera, very obviously seeking it out every time he speaks. He rudely interrupts other panelists, smirks like a teenager at views he doesn't like, and last night (Tuesday, March 18, 2025) screamed twice, red-faced, that he was going to "educate" a woman panelist across the table. She just laughed at him. As a regular viewer, I'd say Jennings is the least qualified commentator on CNN and should be pulled back from prominence.
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I find it ironic that in the show’s intro Abby says “people on opposite sides aren’t talking, but at this table we are”, when in reality all the 5 do is argue and talk over each other and Abby sits there speechless/helpless. It’s a hard pass for me, which I find unfortunate because I truly find her to be genius as a moderator/anchor for CNN. Would be refreshing to see real dialogue- this is not that.
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Scott Jennings offers a balance to the discussions and is a concise communicator. Just because he offers an opposing view doesn’t mean he doesn’t belong on the panel. I appreciate his contributions.
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I readily admit I don’t know much about Scott Jennings. But of course they want him or Any conservative voice off the show. He interferes with their TDS narratives. These rating polls must come from the same people who said Kamala was going to win in a land slide Lol !! But if this show and others like Maddow give the Libs a pacifier to calm their TDS then it’s good. Plus these shows will only help to get GOP candidates to win Huge in the midterms !! While they focus on TDS the GOP will be focusing on the Real issues and continue to Win !!
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playing with boats in a tub don,t make you a navy vet dumbass.😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
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Honest journalism presents both sides of an argument. I commend her for her show and fairness as the moderator. If you want all left views all the time, just watch MSNBC instead.
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Scott Jennings is the only reason I watch. You can only make an intelligent opinion if you hear both sides. Libs never want to hear another opinion- so sad.
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I watch only because Scott Jennings is on if not I do not watch.
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The libs don't like Scott Jennings because he constantly owns them and often makes them look foolish even when he's outnumbered 4 to 1. Im an independent and had never heard of him before recently but he's by far the most moderate and sensible. Must be why the biased author of this article doesn't like him either.
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The idea of the show is to present both sides and to have balance, agreed, but Scott is just '"too partisan" to be on that show, as often as he is. It's okay to NOT agree with every single Trump policy /statement, especially the ones that are completely ridiculous and unconstitutional. Smh.
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Jennings has become boring with his continued acting for camera and constantly looking in his IPhone for talking points from White House. Other than that love the show, Regular with Erin, Anderson and Abby.
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I was so happy to see others comments on Scott Jennings. I like the show but if I see Scott is on the panel I turn to something else.
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I disagree. Unfortunately, it is a very good representation of the passionate, partisan political climate that we all live in today and it allows the viewer to hear both sides of the argument.
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Most corrupt news outlet
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It's because of Scott Jennings I even watch the show at all.
Scott calls them out on their lies and out of context BS
He doesn't let them get away with the TDS or the MDS
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Scott Jennings IS the reason the show stands out.
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It is getting to the point of total exhaustion watching and listening to NewsNight with Abby Phillips. The lack of control over table members out burst when someone of opposing views are talking (Abby lets this go far and too often.) The show has became so scripted you can almost see ahead of conversations out comes. I normally sit thru it to watch next show that is more bearable. Lori Coats … to me she is just a better host… a switch just might work… don’t think Anna would like it.
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Abby is a consummate host. She exudes calm, facts and plain journalism. I do not appreciate Scott Jennings constantly interrupting guests with whom he disagrees and smirking when he disagrees with another guest. O’ Leary is a Maga suck up. I used to watch her 5 days a week but now only when Scott or O’ Leary are not on the show. Abby should get a raise, she is way better than Collin’s.
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Go watch MSNBC then. If it is still on the air that is.
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And the others dont defend every position the democrats take??? Another with TDS
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God forbid you have a republican on a cnn show. And you wonder why no one watches. It isnt because of him. Watch News Nation. Much better balance.
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Scott Jennings is so far up Trump's ass that he has brown on his nose!
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I refuse to watch Scott Jennings defend the indefensible!
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Abby is killing it!
My favorite cable news show hands down.
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Scott Jennings is the only reason I watch the show. Without him it would be like watching MSNBC
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Why is CNN "wasting" $500,000 a year on a political "lightweight" like Scott Jennings, who consistently uses very unnecessary, "flippant" rude remarks whenever his shallow brain can't come up with a thoughtful, factual conservative response ( that is NOT ON his political "talking point" Cliff's Notes that he usually keeps on the table in front of him ) ?
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The only reason I can even watch 10 minutes of that show is because of Scott.
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Scott Jenkins is a Trumper no matter what Trump does or say. They need to have a conservative who is less one sided. I turn the channel when he is on because he talks over anyone who disagrees with him, even the host. Ms. Phillips is fair, intelligent and well prepared but at times she seems frustrated with the lack of common courtesy and falsehoods shown by her guests, especially Jennings and O’Leary. They need to change them to more moderate conservatives, not Trump cult followers. Phillips does a good job but she needs to rebuttal her guests with more assertiveness and facts.
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If they can over everyone talking at once. I sometimes wish Abby could be in control of a little electrical charge she could use to silence some of the overly verbose people at her table.
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I really like both of Abby’s shows. In fact they are two of my favorites. Scott Jennings does get tiresome and to the point almost falsely pro everything Trump, his viewpoint is too staunch.
The way he stares into the camera is like he’s auditioning for a bigger part. Just calm it down Scott!!
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I refuse to watch CNN. As evidenced by their ratings I, like most Americans, will not watch because their view is too extreme left. They do not even try to walk the line. When you advocate for illegal criminals to remain in the United States you lose me.
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I too have gotten tired of Scott Jennings. He used to be rather "middle of the road" but since Trump won the election I think someone on the MAGA side has given him "a talking to" and he's gotten just plain abrasive while trying to glorify Trump and his horrific agenda. It's sickening to watch. Sorry, but if I was Abby I would tell him that "it's time to go"!
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Scott Jennings needs to go! He always starts the yelling. And in 2023 he did not support Trump and now is has kissed the ring.
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With all the money you claim to make how come you still live at home with parents?
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He’s like the GOP Congress; he wouldn’t dare say anything disparaging about Trump. Apparently he is in line to be his press secretary.
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Scott Jennings is arrogant & rude. I also switch channels if he happens to be part of the show. I cannot stomach his comments , his personality, or his lies.
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Scott Jennings is not a thoughtful commentator. He is a Trump sycophant who will try to rationalize the most outrageous actions of his god.
I am averse to the loud arguments and no longer watch the show. I am inclined toward Erin Burnett and Laura Coates, who have the most intelligent show and are the best at shutting down obnoxious commentators.
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Where is Poppy Harlow?! She was by far my favorite!
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Abby Phillips has no sense of humor. She is just another liberal east coast elite. The show is worthless.
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I agree Abby could moderate the conversation a little better when guests get way out of bounds. However, I think letting some of the more lighter quarrels be battled out, gives us an honest view on how the guests handle themselves. I love her show, and I wish there were more interesting shows on CNN.
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That's cause he likes Abby...I do too <3
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CNN is BRILLIANT!!!!
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Another with TDS lol.
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Maybe if you could spell you might be taken more seriously!
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Scott Jennings is only republican on show lol. And you wonder why no one watches CNN. Watch News Nation. Much more balanced!
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jennings is just a trump bootlicking rethug.😝😝😝😝😝😝😝
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I love the show but get Scott of because he is too narrative.
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700K viewers for the top-rated show on a prime time network is pitiful. And then they highlight 140K viewers for another show..... buh bye.
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I agree that Scott Jennings is the only reason to watch. Abby and the rest of the panel need to take something strong for their TDS.
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I love Abby Phillip show. She tries to allow each guess to express their views. Scott Jennings can be a pest at times. But, I think he has an issue with females. When males host her show, he doesn't interrupt them nor the guest. He only does it on her show.
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Please remove Scott Jennings; he's arrogant, cynical and shows no respect when having a round table discussion. He appears to remain negative on almost every response extremely argumentative!!!
Very defensive on every issue honestly his entire mannerism as though he's angry, and this is the time he can express himself on the various issues of discussion!
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I’m a moderate, but if Jennings left the show, I would probably stop watching as it would be too one-sided towards democratic views and just like watching delusional MSNBC. The Abbey Phillips show is really the only show on CNN that shows different views. All the other shows are politically skewed towards left leaning views.
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I love Abby! The show is really, really good, other than Scott being so incredibly partisan and supporting and/or defending every action by Trump White House. I feel he loses credibility by doing so, but other than that, I feel the show is a great way to hear the issues from both sides.
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I think Scott Jennings is being paid not only by CNN but Dark Money from all the way back to His Kentucky roots.All anyone has to do is Google it,it's laying out there in plain site.He once tried to hide it,but not any more.
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I like Abby Phillips. I too think Scott Jennings is a damned fool! How can such an Intelligent man be taken in by Dictator Trump??
I do love Anderson Cooper!
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His tje assassin's
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I won’t watch a show with Jennings unless Kasie Hunt is moderator. She manages to keep him from being extremely combative and overriding the others on the panel.
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I have watched the show but absolutely will not watch any show with Scott Jennings.
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I only watch the show because of Scott Jennings . He’s the only one on the show with common sense.
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CNN has not been the same afterthe Firing of the best two persons that always refused not to back down from asking TOUGH QUESTIONS. All the people there now just want to be nice, calm and not ask the TOUGHT question with great followup questions. DON LEMOND AND CHRIST COMO is missed by many.
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I love the show. Maybe Scott's appearances on the show should be cut to 3 days per week.
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Scott Jennings is literally going biserk every opportunity he gets. It's uncalled for. Maybe he's using the show to audition for his own. Abby Phillip is great and she listens but at times she seems let Scott go too far.
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Whenever I see Scott Jennings face which is constanrly, I flip the channel. GET RID OF HIM. SEND HIM TO FOX WHERE HE BELONGS.
Katelyn Collins is on the fast track to journalism stardom. I've been a fan of hers since she first began.
Hate to say it but Anderson is just plain boring.
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The voice of a quickie lube oil change waiting room, made flesh. That's the only place I've seen CNN being "watched". That and in airports.
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That there was funny !! But true !! 🤣
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Love Abby. Fire Scott Jennings.
He's truly annoying.
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Yeah, Abby is a great moderator. But, the numbers on the show reflect the public's need and desire for conflict. Jennings certainly gives conflict with his smirky know it all simplicities. O'Leary's stance is from a standard biblical money changer. I have been impressed with the discussions on the show, in spite of the two I mentioned.
Yet, Anderson is very informative all the time.
And Laura Coates may well be the best mind on the network. Direct, legally based, calm and dives to the heart of the matter
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