In May 2019, CNN surpassed MSNBC in total day in the key demo adults 25-54 (138k vs. 134k) and outperformed MSNBC during dayside (9am-4pm) ranking second in cable news (146k vs. 113k) for the 63rd straight month.
In weekday primetime, CNN had its third-best May in 11 years (since 2008) in total viewers (905k), just following 2016 and 2017. Onweekends, CNN delivered higher 25-54 audiences than MSNBC in both total day (105k vs. 74k) and prime time (107k vs. 72k).
CNN also beat MSNBC for 17 out of 24 hours on Saturdays and for 23 hours on Sunday among adults 25-54. All of CNN Sunday morning programs posted more viewers than MSNBC in the key demo adults 25-54, ranking second in cable news.
CNN also ranked as a Top 10 network in all of cable, had the youngest audience in cable news in total day and prime time andreached the largest cumulative TV audience (among both total viewers and adults 25-54) this month.
All of CNN prime time programs had their third-best May ratings on record among total viewers this month (following 2018 and 2017). Erin Burnett Outfront (7pm) had its third-highest May on record among total viewers (747k), as did Anderson Cooper 360 (8pm) with 920k, as well as CNN Tonight with Don Lemon (10pm) who delivered 846k in total viewers this May.
Cuomo Prime Time (9pm) is once again CNN’s top-rated news program in both total viewers (946k) and among adults 25-54 (230k). The Cuomo-led program is the only cable news program to grow at 9pm, increasing +11%, while the others are down vs. a year ago.
This is the overall network’s third-highest May at 9pm since 2008 in total viewers. CNN’s morning news program New Day with Alisyn Camerota and John Berman (6-9am) had its third-highest May on record among both total viewers (485k) and in the demo adults 25-54 (136k), after 2018 and 2017.
Analysis
By Kevin Coy
CNN are highlighting that their prime time programmes are performing well, and whilst they are seeing slight up-ticks in May 2019, it really isn’t anything to write home about. The opposing networks are noting that Cuomo Prime Time, a trumpeted and much publicised show on CNN, is really struggling in its timeslot.