Maddow Tops Cable News In Key Demo Tuesday, MSNBC’s Chris Matthews Leads Time Slot

For the second day in a row, Fox News faced stiffer competition from CNN and MSNBC than it’s faced in recent weeks, with MSNBC winning several time slots and CNN leading the key 25-54 demographic during the 9 AM to 5 PM daytime slot.

According to Nielsen, Fox News led in both total viewers (2.802 million) and the key demo (543,000) during the 8 PM to 11 PM time slot. MSNBC finished close behind in both metrics, averaging 509,000 in the demo and 2.445 million total viewers. CNN enjoyed its second straight night of improved numbers, pulling in 1.350 million viewers overall and 451,000 in the demographic.

During the daytime hours, Fox News led in total audience (1.450 million) while placing second in the demo (262,000). CNN topped the demographic with 280,000 viewers while nabbing 1.063 million total viewers. MSNBC captured 232,000 in the demo and 1.387 million viewers overall.

MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show led all of cable news in the key demographic (655,000) while barely finishing second in total viewers (3.019 million). Fox News’ Hannity was the most-watched program in total viewership (3.060 million) and took the silver in the demo (592,000). Fox’s Tucker Carlson Tonight placed third in both the demo (584,000) and total audience (2.848 million).

In the 7 PM hour, MSNBC led across the board as Hardball with Chris Matthews averaged 2.013 million total viewers and 398,000 in the demo. CNN’s Erin Burnett OutFront placed second in the demo (385,000) and attracted 1.110 million viewers overall. Fox’s The Story with Martha MacCallum captured 1.942 million total viewers and 369,000 in the demo.

The top-rated program on CNN was Cuomo Prime Time, which drew 1.422 million total viewers and 472,000 in the key demo. Also notable is that both hours of CNN Newsroom with Brooke Baldwin led its time slots in the demographic.