November 2020 was CNN’s most-watched in its 40 year history, the network has never had a bigger audience than it did last month, when it broke every record for viewership.
In addition, CNN was the top network in cable news for the month, easily beating Fox and MSNBC in the key sales target of adults 25-54 in total day, prime time and daytime. Among total viewers, CNN was top in cable news during the day, and handily beat MSNBC in total viewers in total day and prime time.
In ALL of cable television (not just news), CNN was the top network among adults 25-54 in November in total day and finished #2 in prime time. In total viewers in ALL of cable television, CNN was top in daytime and #2 in total day and prime time.
Since the day after the election (11/4-11-30), CNN has been the most watched cable news network. With Americans desperate for the facts, CNN has emerged as the top cable news network overall in total day among total viewers.
Among adults 25-54, CNN has been top for 27 straight days, the longest winning streak in 19 years, dating back to September 11, 2001.
CNN also grew triple digits vs. a year ago, far more than Fox or MSNBC.
CNN’s digital platforms are also having record numbers, making CNN the most watched and most used news and information brand in the world.
Total Day
CNN had record total day ratings in during the month of November, far surpassing Fox and MSNBC and ranking top in cable news in the demo 25-54 for the first time since October 2016.
For the first time since October 2016, CNN topped Fox in total day in the demo 25-54 (560k vs. 417k). And for the first time since April 2020, CNN has topped MSNBC in total viewers (1.787 million vs. 1.599 million) and outperformed MSNBC in adults 25-54 (560k vs. 305k) for the 12th straight month.
CNN’s average of 1.787 million total viewers in November is the network’s highest monthly rating on record. And compared to a year ago, CNN was up and impressive +209% in the demo and +135% in total viewers – far more than either Fox or MSNBC.
Since the day after the election (11/4 to-date, 27 days) CNN ranked top in total viewers, averaging 1.834 million, Fox followed with 1.613 million and MSNBC had 1.572 million.
Among adults 25-54, CNN was also top rated each day, and overall averaged 572k , Fox had 329k and MSNBC had 297k setting the networks longest winning streak since September 2001.
Prime Time
CNN also had historic ratings highs in prime time, ranking top in cable news for the first time since August, 2019 with 952k, Fox was second with 844k and MSNBC lagged with 543k among adults 25-54.
CNN also had its most-watched monthly prime time EVER in total viewers (2.821m) and highest since 2003 among adults 25-54 (952k). CNN also had robust growth in prime time vs. a year ago, up a staggering +290% in the demo and +178% in total viewers.
In weekday (M-F) prime time, CNN was also top in cable news with 1.050 million, Fox was second with 1.021 million and MSNBC was third with 641k in the key demo adults 25-54.
This is the first time CNN was No. 1 in weekday prime time in the key demo 25-54 since August, 2019.
All of CNN’s evening/prime time programs – Erin Burnett Outfront, Anderson Cooper 360, Cuomo Prime Time and CNN Tonight with Don Lemon — had bigger audiences than MSNBC’s prime lineup in the demo adults 25-54 this month.
Compared to last year, CNN was up +270% in the demo and +163% in total viewers in weekday primetime, far surpassing Fox’s growth +96%+40%and MSNBC’s +35%/18% respectively.
Dayside
During dayside (9am-4pm), was top in cable news in total viewers and adults 25-54. In total viewers, CNN beat Fox and MSNBC for the first time since October 2002, with CNN attracting 2.017 million, to Fox’s 1.938 million to MSNBC’s 1.612 million.
This is CNN highest total viewer dayside ratings in the 40 year history of the network, and highest in the demo since April 2003.
In the demo, CNN was also top with 595k, Fox was second 395k and MSNBC was third with 292k.
In ALL of cable (not just news), CNN was top in both the demo 25-54 and total viewers for the month of November.
CNN had triple digit growth during dayside in November increasing 163% among adults 25-54 and 98% in total viewers, while Fox increased +41%/+5% and MSNBC was up +48%/+13% respectively.
Weekends
On weekends, CNN was top in total day topping both Fox and MSNBC in the demo (CNN 436k, Fox 252k, MSNBC 200k) and total viewers (CNN 1.530m, Fox 1.345m, MSNBC 1.047m).
CNN was also up +254% in the demo and +184% in total viewers vs. last year. In prime time, CNN was top in the demo 25-54 with 706k, Fox was second with 398k and MSNBC was third with 299k.
On Saturdays, CNN was top in cable news at 6am, every hour from 10am-10pm and from 11am-6am. On Sundays, the network was top rated at 6am, 8-10am and every hour from 11am-5am. CNN topped MSNBC for 24 out of 24 hours on Saturdays and Sundays in the coveted key demo.