Cable Television Channels: Fox News Dominates, CNN Falls Out of Top 5
The cable television landscape continues to evolve, with Fox News Channel solidifying its dominance for a seventh consecutive year as the most-watched channel in primetime and total-day viewership. ESPN maintained its second-place position, followed by MSNBC in third and HGTV in fourth. However, a significant shift occurred in the fifth spot, marking a potential turning point for Warner Bros. Discovery.
Cable TV Rankings Shakeup: CNN Drops Out of Top 5
For the first time since 2019, CNN fell out of the top 5 most-watched Cable Television Channels, landing in tenth place according to Nielsen data. This significant drop marks a notable shift in viewership, allowing fellow Turner channel TNT to claim the fifth position. The remaining channels rounding out the top 10 were Hallmark Channel, TBS, TLC, INSP (formerly The Inspiration Network), and finally, CNN. This reshuffling presents a mixed bag for Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of TNT, TBS, and CNN, highlighting both successes and challenges within its portfolio.
Examining the Nielsen Rankings and Methodology
It’s important to note that these Nielsen rankings reflect live viewership during primetime hours (8-11 p.m.) and do not include delayed viewing from DVR or streaming platforms. This methodology tends to favor live news channels like Fox News, MSNBC, and CNN, as well as live sports programming on ESPN. The exclusion of delayed viewing provides a snapshot of immediate audience engagement but doesn’t capture the full picture of overall viewership habits.
Bottom of the Barrel: G4’s Short Revival and Pursuit Channel’s Decline
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the recently revived G4 channel ceased operations within a year, averaging only 1,000 primetime viewers. Meanwhile, beIN Sports remained in 124th place with a consistent 3,000 viewers per evening. Pursuit Channel experienced a substantial decline, dropping from 117th to 125th place with a significant decrease in viewership. These examples illustrate the highly competitive nature of the cable television market and the challenges faced by smaller channels.
A Comprehensive Look at Cable Channel Rankings
The complete list of 126 ranked cable television channels based on 2022 primetime viewership provides a comprehensive overview of the industry. Fox News Channel led with an average of 2.33 million viewers, significantly outpacing other channels. The rankings highlight the enduring popularity of news, sports, and lifestyle programming, with channels like ESPN, MSNBC, HGTV, and Hallmark Channel consistently attracting large audiences. Further down the list, niche channels cater to specific interests, demonstrating the diverse range of content available within the cable television landscape.
The cable television industry continues to face challenges from streaming services and evolving viewing habits. However, these rankings demonstrate the ongoing relevance and reach of cable channels in providing news, entertainment, and specialized programming to a wide audience.
