A Deeper Dive Into the 2023-2024 Season Ratings

Cable Networks (Third Quarter)

Turning to the cable nets, we’re zeroing in on the results of four 24-hour news networks during the just-concluded third quarter (July-September 2024) and how they compared to Q2.

• Newsmax: Quarter-to-quarter, Newsmax saw gains of +30% in total viewers and +82% in the demo during primetime. The network was also up during total day, rising +17% in total viewers and +50 in the demo.
• NewsNation: During primetime, the network was up +9% in total and stayed flat in the demo. Looking at its performance during total day, the net was down -2% in total viewers and rose +17% in the demo.
• Fox Business: FBN saw quarter-to-quarter primetime gains of +20% in total viewers and +21% in the demo. During total day, it rose by +4% and +18%  in those respective categories.

• CNBC: Compared to Q2’s primetime results, CNBC was down -3% in total viewers, but rose +7% in the demo. During total day, the net saw gains of +10% in total viewers and +17 in the demo.

NewsNation and Newsmax might see additional viewership gains during the fourth quarter with the shrinking of available 24-hour news networks brought on by the recent demise of Scripps News. That eliminates another alternative news source outside of the big three cable networks.