Biggest Television News Networks: 2023 Winners and Losers

The landscape of television news is constantly shifting, with viewership habits evolving and the rise of digital platforms. 2023 proved to be a year of significant change for the Biggest Television News Networks, with some experiencing surprising gains while others faced substantial losses. Live sports continue to bolster broadcast networks and some cable channels, while diginets maintain stability by catering to older audiences with nostalgic programming. Niche networks with loyal viewerships also demonstrated resilience.

NBC narrowly edged out CBS for the top spot in total viewers, averaging 4.54 million. Fox, boosted by the Super Bowl, secured the lead in the coveted 18-49 adult demographic, enjoying a 10% year-over-year increase.

Reelz experienced a dramatic 34% surge in viewership thanks to the success of “On Patrol: Live,” a revival of A&E’s canceled “Live PD.” This exemplifies how a single program can significantly impact a network’s performance. However, legal challenges regarding copyright and trademark infringement from A+E Networks loom over Reelz’s future.

Grit, a broadcast network specializing in classic western movies and TV shows, became the fastest-growing network in 2023. This success underscores the enduring appeal of nostalgia programming for older audiences who still rely on linear television. Grit’s surge propelled it past The CW to become the ninth most-watched broadcast network.

Amidst a general decline in viewership for major news networks, MSNBC saw a slight 2% increase. This contrasts sharply with the 20% declines experienced by both CNN and Fox News. Meanwhile, Newsmax and Newsnation, which have embraced more opinion-based content, experienced significant growth, with increases of 22% and 73% respectively. The upcoming election year is expected to further amplify viewership across news networks.

Premium cable channels, including HBO, Showtime, and Starz, suffered substantial losses, with declines ranging from 25% to 34%. This trend reflects the broader shift towards streaming platforms, as viewers increasingly opt for on-demand content.

Children’s television networks continued their precipitous decline, highlighting the generational shift away from linear TV consumption among younger audiences. Disney Channel, once a top 10 network, now ranks 80th, with a dramatic reduction in viewership. Nickelodeon, Disney Junior, Nick Jr., and Cartoon Network all experienced significant double-digit declines.

Paramount Network’s 30% drop in viewership underscores the impact of losing a flagship program. The network’s previous success was largely attributed to the popularity of “Yellowstone,” which aired only one episode in 2023. This highlights the vulnerability of networks reliant on a single hit show. Without “Yellowstone,” Paramount fell behind competitors FX and AMC, both of which also experienced double-digit declines.

The provided tables offer a comprehensive overview of the performance of broadcast, cable, and premium cable networks in 2023, ranked by total viewers and adults 18-49. These rankings reveal the significant shifts in the television landscape and highlight the challenges and opportunities facing the biggest television news networks.