Trump has given a big boost to cable news, and not just the network he likes
When it comes to cable news, President Trump is a rising tide that lifts all boats. "Beneficiaries include both the network he likes (Fox News Channel) and those he hates/threatens (everyone else)," Deadline reports. CNN, one of Trump's favorite targets, posted its highest ratings ever in total and total day viewership and notched its second-most-watched primetime year since 2008. For the first time since 1995, the original cable news network cracked the Top 10 of all basic cable channels, ranking No. 7 overall, No. 10 in primetime, and No. 5 in total day viewership.
If it was a good year for CNN, it was a great one for MSNBC. Its primetime viewership jumped by 51 percent in Trump's first year, including 37 percent in the key 25-54 demographic. MSNBC ranked No. 3 in primetime among cable networks and also in total day viewership. Rachel Maddow was the network's biggest ratings draw, though with an average of 2.5 million viewers she was still more than a million behind Fox News' Sean Hannity, with nearly 3.2 million viewers (Hannity and Maddow tied in the 18-49 demographic). Fox News was, for a second year running, the No. 1 basic cable network in primetime and total day viewers.
CNN has one more point of pride it highlighted: Its viewers are younger. The median age of CNN's total day viewers in 2017 was 60, versus 65 for Fox News and MSNBC. ("Yes, FNC's median age is the same as MSNBC's," Deadline notes.) And in primetime, CNN's median viewer was 59, versus the 66-year-old median viewer at Fox and MSNBC's 65. Maybe the kids like fruit. Peter Weber
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
The new powers to stop stalking in the UK
The Explainer Updated guidance could help protect more victims, but public is losing trust in police and battered criminal justice system
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Criminal trail?'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
Grindr 'shared user HIV status' with ad firms, lawsuit claims
Speed Read LGBTQ dating app accused of breaching UK data protection laws in case filed at London's High Court
By Rebecca Messina, The Week UK Published
-
Empty-nest boomers aren't selling their big homes
Speed Read Most Americans 60 and older do not intend to move, according to a recent survey
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Brazil accuses Musk of 'disinformation campaign'
Speed Read A Brazilian Supreme Court judge has opened an inquiry into Elon Musk and X
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney board fends off Peltz infiltration bid
Speed Read Disney CEO Bob Iger has defeated activist investor Nelson Peltz in a contentious proxy battle
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney and DeSantis reach detente
Speed Read The Florida governor and Disney settle a yearslong litigation over control of the tourism district
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Visa and Mastercard agree to lower swipe fees
Speed Read The companies will cap the fees they charge businesses when customers use their credit cards
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Reddit IPO values social media site at $6.4 billion
Speed Read The company makes its public debut on the New York Stock Exchange
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Housing costs: the root of US economic malaise?
speed read Many voters are troubled by the housing affordability crisis
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Feds cap credit card late fees at $8
speed read The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalized a rule to save households an estimated $10 billion a year
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published