Maddow Most-Watched Program In All Of Cable Friday, MSNBC Tops Cable News In Primetime Demo

According to Nielsen, MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show was not only the top-rated program in cable news on Friday, it was the most-watched show in all of basic cable. Meanwhile, MSNBC was able to pick up a rare primetime ratings win over Fox News as it topped cable news in the key 25-54 demographic.

During the 8 PPm to 11 PM primetime slot, MSNBC averaged 410,000 demo viewers and a total audience of 2.207 million. Fox News led the way in total viewership with 2.367 million while attracting 383,000 in the demo. CNN captured 925,000 total viewers and 295,000 in the demographic.

In total day, Fox News came out on top in both the demo (285,000) and total viewers (1.484 million). MSNBC nabbed 1.138 million viewers overall and 223,000 in the key demo. CNN pulled in 623,000 total viewers and 195,000 in the demographic.

Maddow’s 2.745 million total viewers were enough to top the field in all of cable on Friday night. The program’s demo audience of 506,000 topped cable news. A special edition of Fox’s Hannity placed second overall in total viewership (2.612 million) and the 25-54 demo (395,000). FNC’s Tucker Carlson Tonight finished third in total audience (2.250 million) and fifth in the demo (370,000).

The most-watched program on CNN was Cuomo Prime Time, which drew 1.033 million total viewers. Anderson Cooper 360 led in the demo with 312,000.

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.