Rachel Maddow Most-Watched Cable News Program On Friday Night

According to Nielsen, MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show was the top program in all of cable news Friday, leading the way in both total viewers (2.658 million) and the key 25-54 demographic (526,000). Meanwhile, in what was a relatively light ratings day for cable news, Fox News led across the board in total day and primetime.

Maddow’s 9 PM competition, Fox News’ Hannity, finished second overall in both total viewership (2.595 million) and the demo (487,000). Fox’s The Ingraham Angle was third overall in the demo (465,000) and fourth in total viewers (2.311 million). Fox News’ Tucker Carlson Tonight took the bronze in total viewership (2.349 million).

In the primetime 8 PM to 11 PM slot, Fox News pulled in an overall audience of 2.419 million and 459,000 demo viewers. MSNBC finished second in both metrics, nabbing 2.085 total viewers and 412,000 in the demographic. CNN averaged 883,000 viewers overall and 287,000 in the demo.

Between 6 AM and 2 AM, Fox News attracted 1.601 million total viewers and 303,000 in the 25-54 metric. MSNBC was second in both overall viewers (1.204 million) and the demographic (243,000). CNN pulled in a total viewership of 753,000 and 220,000 in the demo.

The top-rated CNN program of the day was the 8 PM airing of Anderson Cooper 360, which captured 986,000 total viewers and a demo audience of 288,000.

Justin Baragona

Justin Baragona is the founder/publisher of Contemptor and a contributor to The Daily Beast. He was previously the Cable News Correspondent for Mediaite and prior to starting Contemptor, he worked on the editorial staff of PoliticusUSA. During that time, he had his work quoted by USA Today and BBC News, among others. Justin began his published career as a political writer for 411Mania. He resides in St. Louis, MO with his wife and pets.