MS NOW Gets Big Ratings Boost in Battle With CNN & Fox News

The cable news ratings for the week of September 14 are in, and MS NOW bounced back in a big way, showing double-digit growth across total viewers and the key Adults 25-54 demographic.

According to Adweek, citing Nielsen big data + panel numbers, MS NOW averaged 914,000 total viewers and 81,000 demo viewers in primetime for the week of September 14. This was up a massive 33 percent in total viewers and up 47 percent in the demo compared to the previous week.

The network was also up in total day, averaging 568,000 total viewers and 54,000 demo viewers. This was up 16 percent in total viewers and up 26 percent in the demo compared to the week prior.

MS NOW’s year-over-year numbers were also positive, showing a 7 percent increase in total viewers and a 16 percent rise in the demo across primetime. During total day, the network was up 12% in total viewers and up 23% in the key demo.

Not only that bute The Rachel Maddow Show took the spot for most-watched program at the 9 pm hour on Monday, September 14.

Despite MS NOW’s gains, Fox News remained at the top, averaging 1.618 million total viewers and 147,000 demo viewers during primetime for the week of September 14. This was down 9 percent in total viewers and down 10 percent in the demo compared with the week before.

Across total day, Fox News averaged 1.064 million total viewers and 104,000 demo viewers. This was down 5 percent in total viewers and down 1 percent in the demo compared to the previous week.

However, the network was down significantly compared to the same period last year. Fox News lost 39 percent in total viewers and 49 percent in the demo across primetime. In total day, the network was down 40 percent in total viewers and 48 percent in the demo.

Meanwhile, CNN averaged 552,000 total viewers and 88,000 demo viewers across primetime for the week of September 14. This was up 13 percent in total viewers and up 14 percent in the demo compared to the prior week.

During total day, CNN averaged 375,000 total viewers and 53,000 demo viewers. This was up 7 percent in total viewers and up 8 percent in the demo compared to the previous week.

Results were mixed year over year for CNN, with a 3 percent drop in total primetime viewers but a 1 percent gain in the demo. In total day, the network was down 6 percent in total viewers and down 9 percent in the key demo.

As for the most-watched cable shows, Fox News held 12 of the top 15 spots, with The Five leading the way with 2.772 million total viewers and 270,000 demo viewers. The three non-Fox shows for total viewers all belonged to MS NOW, with The Rachel Maddow Show (1.483 million) at No. 8, The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell (1.195 million) at No. 14, and The Briefing with Jen Psaki (1.119 million) at No. 15.

Fox News also occupied 13 of the top 15 spots for most-watched shows in the key demo. The two non-Fox shows were The Rachel Maddow Show (130,000 viewers) at No. 11 and CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip (117,000 viewers) at No. 14.

Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that MS NOW defeated Fox News in the primetime demo between 8 pm and 11 pm on Thursday, September 17. Fox News actually had the higher demo number.