• by Wayne Friedman , 8 hours ago

Although overall viewing for the three major cable TV news networks combined declined in September versus a year ago, national TV advertising for those networks has remained roughly the same -- at a collective $207.6 million versus $197.4 million, according to EDO Ad EnGage estimates.

Fox News Channel came in at $105.5 million in national TV advertising for this September, followed by CNN with $70.54 million and MSNBC at $31.5 million.

In September 2024, Fox News was at $94.3 million, followed by CNN at $72.4 million and MSNBC with $30.7 million.

In September, Fox News Channel widened its lead over its competitors, but lost some strength in the 25-54 demographic versus the same period last year.

At the same time, MSNBC and CNN made major gains versus the same month a year ago.

September 2024 was a high-intensity viewing time for all major TV networks because of the Presidential election.

This past September, Fox News Channel continued its long run as the leading cable TV network, commanding 2.5 million Nielsen-measured viewers in prime time, up 1% versus the same monthly period in 2024. Total daytime average viewers grew 12% to 1.6 million.

At the same time, key 25-54 age viewers sank 14% in prime time (280,000) and 12% lower in total daytime viewing (178,000).

MSNBC prime-time viewers slipped 43% to 810,000, with a 45% decline in total daytime viewers to 507,000. Similar declines were seen in 25-54 demos for all dayparts.

CNN had a smaller decline, down 36% versus the year before to 543,000 prime-time viewers -- down 26% in total day viewers to 399,000. Key 25-54 demographic results show a 52% drop in prime time (87,000) and a 37% fall in total daytime viewing (62,000).