MSNBC beats Fox News for the first time ever in weekly cable TV ratings wars

According to Neilson Research as reported by The Hill, MSNBC has finished first in the coveted 25-54 age demographic. It’s the first time the network has done so in its 21-year history. Fox News, which usually dominates the slot, finished 3rd for the first time in 17 years.

Overall, MSNBC finished 2nd for all of basic cable.

From The Hill:

For the week of May 15, MSNBC’s weekday prime averaged 2.440 million total viewers, with Fox second with 2.405 million and CNN third with 1.649 million.

For adults aged 25-54, MSNBC averaged 611,000 viewers. CNN finished second with 589,000 and Fox third with 497,000.

In terms of individual programs, “The Rachel Maddow Show” at 9 p.m. continued its ratings roll, finishing as the most-watched nonsports program for the week in all of basic cable.

As Mediatite‘s Aidan McLaughlin reported this week, MSNBC’s surge is likely due to the glowing coverage Fox News is giving the Trump administration despite the fact that the Russia investigation looms heavy over the White House.

“One would assume such scandalous reports would stir the loins of any cable news producer worth their salt,” McLaughlin wrote. “But television audiences were presented with the stark choice between two parallel universes this week: On MSNBC and CNN, viewers were treated to a nonstop flow of pundits, analysts, specialists and commentators opining on the forthcoming downfall of the Trump presidency — and it was riveting stuff.”

According to The Hill, the last time Fox finished 3rd for the week was back in 2000.

Featured image via Adweek

Sky Palma

Before launching DeadState back in 2012, Sky Palma has been blogging about politics, social issues and religion for over a decade. He lives in Los Angeles and also enjoys Brazilian jiu jitsu, chess, music and art.