CNN Plummets To Lowest Ratings In Nine Years

CNN Plummets To Lowest Ratings In Nine Years

CNN has been in a ratings freefall for the last nine years and the network’s latest ratings plunge is the worst it has seen in nine years. CNN’s primetime viewership was down 25 percent in the second quarter of 2020 compared to the same period last year, according to Nielsen ratings. The network’s average primetime viewership for the quarter was just 761,000 viewers, the lowest since the second quarter of 2011.

The news of CNN’s ratings plunge comes as no surprise to many, as the network has been struggling to keep up with its competitors for some time. Fox News and MSNBC have consistently outperformed CNN in both total viewers and the key demographic of adults aged 25-54. Fox News has been the most-watched cable news network for the past 18 years, while MSNBC has been the number two cable news network for the past seven years.

The ratings decline is especially notable when compared to CNN’s performance in the second quarter of 2019. During that quarter, the network averaged 1.1 million viewers in primetime, a significant jump from the 761,000 viewers it averaged in the second quarter of 2020.

CNN’s ratings plunge is likely due to a combination of factors, including the network’s focus on politics and the coronavirus pandemic. The network has been criticized for its coverage of the pandemic, which some have said has been overly negative and focused on the worst-case scenarios. Additionally, the network’s focus on politics has also been a contributing factor to its ratings decline.

In response to the ratings plunge, CNN has recently made a number of changes to its programming lineup. The network has added new shows such as “The History of Comedy” and “CNN Town Hall” in an effort to diversify its programming and attract more viewers. Additionally, the network has also added more breaking news coverage and investigative reporting in an effort to draw in viewers.

While it remains to be seen if these changes will help the network’s ratings, it is clear that CNN has its work cut out for it. The network will need to focus on providing viewers with compelling content that is both informative and entertaining if it hopes to reverse its ratings slide. Additionally, the network will need to find a way to differentiate itself from its competitors if it hopes to regain its place as one of the top cable news networks.