May 2020 was CNN’s most-watched May ever in total day and in prime time among total viewers and among 25-54 surpassing MSNBC in total day in the demo 25-54 for the sixth straight month, and in prime time (M-Su/M-F) for the third consecutive month.
During daytime (9am-4pm), CNN was top in all of cable and top in cable news for the second consecutive month among adults 25-54.
This was CNN’s highest daytime in May on record among both total viewers and the demo. CNN has now outperformed MSNBC during daytime programming for the 75th consecutive month, the longest streak on record.
On weekends, CNN’s programming outperformed MSNBC for 24 out of 24 hours on Saturdays and Sundays. CNN’s audience grew the most during this busy news cycle across all dayparts and programs by far more than either Fox or MSNBC.
During the past few days that included the protests and unrest in Minneapolis and across the country (May 26-to-date), in total day CNN averaged 1.538 million total viewers, MSNBC followed with 1.312 million and Fox registered 2.118 million. Among adults 25-54, CNN had 497k to MSNBC’s 232k to Fox’s 422k.
In prime time, CNN had attracted 2.503 million total viewers, MSNBC had 2.142 million and Fox averaged 3.675 million. And in the key demo, CNN had 852k, MSNBC had 382k and Fox had 714k.
Among ALL cable networks, CNN ranked third in total day and also weekday and M-Su prime time in total viewers this month.
CNN continues to have the youngest audience in cable news in total day and prime and reaches the largest average monthly cumulative TV audience (among both total viewers and adults 25-54) of any cable news network 2020 to-date.
Across platforms, CNN reaches more total people than any other cable news brand across TV and digital and more people ages 25-54 than any other news brand across TV and digital.