CNN is facing a significant crisis as recent reports indicate that the network is struggling to attract viewers. Just weeks ago, it was revealed that CNN’s ratings have fallen so low that they are now being outperformed by the Hallmark Channel. In an even more surprising twist, they are now trailing behind the Food Network as well. This shift in viewer preference suggests that more people would rather watch shows about baking pies and cakes than tune in to see Anderson Cooper or Jake Tapper discuss current events.
The question on many minds is how much further CNN can sink before drastic changes occur within the organization. According to FOX News, CNN’s primetime viewership has dwindled alarmingly, with their lineup attracting fewer viewers than cooking shows. Last week, CNN ranked 17th among cable networks during primetime hours, despite a busy news cycle that included significant stories such as the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and ongoing developments related to President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet appointments.
During the week of December 2, CNN’s popular programs like “Anderson Cooper 360,” “The Source with Kaitlan Collins,” and “CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip” managed to average only 367,000 total viewers from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. In stark contrast, Fox News Channel pulled in an impressive average of 2.5 million viewers during the same time frame. The numbers reveal a troubling trend for CNN; their audience was smaller than not just Fox News but also other networks like TNT, Freeform, Discovery, TLC, and even Hallmark Mystery.
Both CNN and MSNBC have experienced dramatic declines in viewership since the election results were announced. Reports indicate that both networks have lost nearly half of their audience since Donald Trump’s victory over Kamala Harris. Initially, there were hopes that these post-election slumps would be temporary; however, it has now been five weeks since Trump won all seven swing states without any sign of recovery for either network.
In fact, things appear to be getting worse for MSNBC as well. Since November 6—the day after the presidential election—primetime viewership for MSNBC has dropped by a staggering 55 percent. Previously known for drawing in over a million viewers during prime time hours from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., MSNBC has seen its average plummet to just around 603,000 viewers since Election Day.
Even flagship programs like “The Rachel Maddow Show” have suffered immensely due to this decline in interest; Maddow’s show has lost approximately 56 percent of its audience since Trump’s election win and currently averages about 1.4 million viewers per episode—a far cry from the nearly three million she averaged during peak moments of coverage surrounding allegations against Trump.
Given these alarming statistics and trends within these networks, it’s no surprise that some observers believe there will be little sympathy if either CNN or MSNBC were to cease operations altogether. Many critics argue that both networks have contributed negatively to public discourse and have fostered division among audiences instead of unity.
As we continue observing these shifts in media consumption habits and preferences among American audiences, it raises important questions about what people want from their news sources today compared to previous years. Are traditional news outlets failing because they’re not addressing what matters most to their audiences? Or are changing political climates shifting viewer interests away from certain types of programming?
We invite you to share your thoughts on this topic in the comment section below!
Source: Steadfast Nation
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