Cable News Ratings: CNN, MSNBC Battle for Second in August as Fox News Dominates Again

While Fox News finished No. 1 among all of cable news networks for August, MSNBC gained significantly on CNN to claim second place in major audience categories.

CNN points to victories over MSNBC in the key demo of adults age 25-54 during primetime and total day viewers.

[...] MSNBC claims it “trounced CNN in mornings and primetime while also delivering massive growth and notable victories throughout key dayparts.”

Overall, Fox News averaged 2 million total viewers and 347,000 in the demo during primetime, winning both categories.

August viewership had less breaking news and event coverage and focused more on day-to-day coverage of the presidential campaign.

CNN was the No. 1 cable channel in Monday-Sunday primetime and Monday-Friday prime, in terms of both total viewers and the key demo, as recently as the week of July 25 during the presidential conventions.

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Fox News was down 13 percent in total viewers and down 29 percent in the demo, but still is the most-watched primetime network and, clearly, was absolutely crushing the competition this time last year.