CNN Faces Sharp Ratings Decline, Losing Significant Viewership Post-Election
CNN has experienced a dramatic drop in viewership since Donald Trump’s electoral victory, with prime-time ratings plummeting by 45% to an average of just 394,000 total viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research.
Among the key 25-to-54 age demographic, the network suffered an even steeper decline of 52%, recording its worst-ever performance in this category with only 77,000 viewers.
Critics argue that CNN’s election coverage failed to resonate with audiences, with a journalist quoted by The Washington Post stating the network “didn’t meet the mark” in its Trump coverage. Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt also accused CNN of creating a “hostile environment” for the Republican contender during the campaign.
Adding to its challenges, CNN is reportedly preparing for significant layoffs as its parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, grapples with $45.3 billion in debt following its 2022 merger. MSNBC has faced similar struggles, seeing a 46% drop in audience ratings compared to the first 10 months of 2024.
