MS NOW Scores Weekend Ratings Success in Battle With CNN

MS NOW has received a huge ratings boost. The news network just surpassed CNN in the key demo on weekends for the first time in 14 years.

As reported by Mediaite, according to Nielsen viewership data, MS NOW, which changed its name from MSNBC in 2025, dominated the weekends in October against CNN. Both networks lag some distance behind the ratings powerhouse that is Fox News.

But the new numbers are good news for MS Now, no doubt strengthened by the upcoming Midterm Elections.

MS Now drew 50,000 viewers in the key 25-54 demographic during the live broadcasts in October. CNN recorded only 48,000 viewers. This is a 43 percent jump from MS NOW’s viewership in October 2025.

MS NOW’s weekend lineup includes a few new programs, including Connect, hosted by Jacob Soboroff, which debuted in June, and The Assignment, hosted by Antonia Hylton, which premiered in September. Connect has brought in 533,000 viewers and 67,000 key demographic viewers, compared to CNN, which brought in 475,000 total viewers and 53,000 demographic viewers during the same timeslot.

The Assignment, which airs at 1pm est, brought in over 400,000 viewers, while The Weekend reached 490,000 people. During that time, CNN had 373,000 viewers.

There was further good news for MS NOW’s weekday schedule. Morning Joe also had a 24 percent year-over-year increase in total viewers, totaling 696,000 for October so far. The morning show had a 44 percent increase in key demo viewers.

The two networks feature many other programs all seven days of the week, reporting on news, politics, and more. Connect focuses on the news, conversations, and people that are shaping America, forging a link between the host, the country, and the viewers. The Assignment focuses on breaking news, original reporting, and political and cultural debates.

Connect, weekends, 10am est to 1pm est, MS NOW

The Assignment, weekends, 1pm to 4pm est, MS NOW