CNN and MSNBC lost 40% of its viewers compared to last year.

CNN and MSNBC have experienced a significant decline in viewership compared to last year, with losses around 40% or more reported by multiple sources.

At a glance

Key Evidence

Verified August 9, 2025

Breitbart reports MSNBC and CNN losing 40% and 44% of viewers year-over-year.breitbart.com
OutKick confirms MSNBC's primetime viewership dropped over 40%, with CNN also down.outkick.com
Multiple sources note that Fox News lost only about 16% while CNN and MSNBC losses were much higher.breitbart.com outkick.com

The reporting

What the Evidence Shows

Multiple recent reports from August 2025 indicate that both CNN and MSNBC have lost a substantial portion of their audience compared to the previous year. Specifically:

Breitbart and Free Republic report MSNBC and CNN losing approximately 40% and 44% of their viewers year-over-year, respectively.

OutKick analysis confirms that MSNBC's new primetime lineup has lost over 40% of its viewership, with CNN also down in total day and primetime viewership.

Other sources mention even larger declines since the 2020 election, with some stating losses approaching half of their audience since Donald Trump's election victory.

While exact percentages vary slightly depending on the timeframe and measurement method, the claim that CNN and MSNBC lost about 40% of their viewers compared to last year is well supported. Fox News, by contrast, has seen smaller declines or even gains in some metrics during the same period.

This decline is attributed to several factors including changes in programming, shifts in political climate, and audience migration to other news sources or platforms. However, the claim does not specify which exact time period or measurement (total day vs primetime) is referenced, which can affect precise numbers.

Primary trail