CNN’s Ratings Collapse Sparks Alarm as Viewers Flee in 2025

In a seismic shift for cable news, CNN is grappling with a historic ratings collapse that has left its hosts and executives stunned, as viewers abandon the network in droves during the early months of 2025. The downturn, most pronounced in May, saw CNN’s primetime viewership plummet to an average of just 426,000 viewers, an 18% drop from the previous year, and its total day viewership fall to 353,000, down 24%. The decline, particularly stark in the advertiser-coveted 25-54 demographic, has triggered alarm within the network, with some insiders describing it as a crisis that threatens CNN’s relevance in a rapidly changing media landscape. As Fox News surges and MSNBC struggles, CNN’s fall from grace raises questions about its editorial direction, audience trust, and ability to adapt in the Trump era.

The ratings freefall came to a head in late May 2025, when CNN recorded its lowest-rated week of the year, averaging only 374,000 primetime viewers and a mere 61,000 in the 25-54 demographic from May 26-30. This marked a continuation of a downward trend that began after the 2024 presidential election, with the network losing significant ground compared to its cable news rivals. Fox News, by contrast, averaged 2.7 million primetime viewers during the same period, outpacing even broadcast networks like ABC, NBC, and CBS, while MSNBC managed 877,000 primetime viewers despite its own declines. CNN’s second-worst month ever in the key demographic underscored a broader erosion of its audience, with some programs hitting lows not seen since the network’s early days.

One of the most striking examples of CNN’s struggles is The Lead with Jake Tapper, which averaged just 525,000 total viewers in May, its worst performance since August 2015. Despite Tapper’s high-profile book tour for Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again, which generated significant buzz, the show saw a 15% drop in the 25-54 demographic, with only 95,000 viewers in this group. Other CNN offerings, including primetime staples like Erin Burnett OutFront and Anderson Cooper 360, also faced steep declines, though NewsNight with Abby Phillip showed relative resilience, averaging 710,000 viewers in its 10 p.m. slot. The network’s overall primetime performance in May was dwarfed by Fox News, which captured 65% of the cable news audience share, leaving CNN and MSNBC to scrap for the remainder.

The roots of CNN’s ratings woes are multifaceted, tied to both internal decisions and external shifts in viewer behavior. The post-election period, typically a lull for cable news after the intensity of campaign coverage, hit CNN particularly hard. The 2024 election, which saw Donald Trump’s return to the White House, appears to have reshaped audience preferences, with many viewers gravitating toward Fox News for its alignment with the new administration’s narrative. CNN’s attempts to maintain a centrist stance, often criticized as inconsistent, may have alienated both liberal and conservative audiences. Posts on X reflect this sentiment, with some users accusing CNN of losing its identity, while others mock its declining viewership, with one post stating, “CNN’s numbers are so low they’re practically broadcasting to an empty room.” The hashtag #CNNCollapse has gained traction, amplifying perceptions of the network’s struggles.

CNN’s editorial choices have also come under scrutiny. The network’s coverage of Trump’s second term, including his tariff policies and economic agenda, has drawn mixed reactions. Some viewers perceive CNN as overly critical, failing to resonate with those who supported Trump’s 2024 victory, while others argue it has not been critical enough, losing the “resistance” audience that once flocked to MSNBC. A CNN poll in April 2025 revealed deeply negative public views of Trump’s first 100 days, but the network’s framing of these findings failed to translate into sustained viewership. Analysts suggest that CNN’s pivot toward panel shows and less confrontational formats, such as CNN Saturday Morning Table for Five hosted by Abby Phillip, may be an attempt to recapture viewers, but these experiments have yet to reverse the slide.

The decline in the 25-54 demographic is particularly alarming for CNN, as this group is critical for advertising revenue. In May, the network averaged only 76,000 primetime viewers in this demographic, compared to Fox News’s 262,000 and MSNBC’s 73,000. This marked CNN’s third-lowest performance in the category since 1997, a statistic that has rattled advertisers and prompted internal discussions about restructuring. The network’s financial challenges were laid bare in a recent defamation lawsuit, which exposed the precarious economics of cable news amid cord-cutting and the rise of streaming platforms. CNN’s layoffs in late 2024, aimed at bolstering its bottom line, have done little to stem the tide, with some insiders fearing further cuts if viewership continues to erode.

Public sentiment, as seen on X, ranges from schadenfreude to concern. Some users, particularly those aligned with conservative viewpoints, have celebrated CNN’s downfall, with posts linking to YouTube videos claiming hosts like Tapper and Wolf Blitzer are “stunned” by the collapse. Others express nostalgia for CNN’s past as a trusted source, with one user lamenting, “CNN used to be the gold standard for news, but now it’s just noise.” The polarized reactions highlight a broader challenge: CNN’s struggle to define its audience in an era of fragmented media consumption. While Fox News has leaned into its conservative base and MSNBC retains a loyal liberal following, CNN’s middle-ground approach has left it vulnerable to losing viewers on both sides.

CNN’s attempts to adapt have met with mixed results. The network has invested in digital initiatives, with CEO Mark Thompson prioritizing vertical video and exploring partnerships with podcasters to reach younger audiences. Shows like NewsNight with Abby Phillip have shown promise, particularly in the 25-54 demographic, suggesting that fresh voices could help CNN regain ground. However, the departure of high-profile figures like Don Lemon and Jim Acosta, coupled with the network’s pivot away from its “resistance” era, has left some viewers feeling disconnected. The success of Phillip’s late-night show, which occasionally outperforms veteran anchors, indicates that CNN may need to lean into new talent to rebuild its brand.

The broader cable news landscape provides context for CNN’s struggles. Fox News’s dominance, with a 21% increase in total day viewership and a 23% jump in primetime since May 2024, reflects its ability to capitalize on Trump’s presidency. Programs like Jesse Watters Primetime (3.23 million viewers) and The Five (4.7 million viewers) have crushed competitors, with Fox capturing 74% of the cable news audience during key events like Trump’s March 2025 congressional address. MSNBC, while also down 24% in primetime, has seen some recovery, with The Rachel Maddow Show averaging 1.89 million viewers despite a reduced schedule. CNN’s inability to match these numbers underscores its competitive disadvantage.

The ratings collapse has also sparked internal reflection. Hosts like Tapper have publicly acknowledged missteps, with Tapper admitting he could have reported more aggressively on Biden’s age-related issues during the 2024 campaign. This candor, while generating headlines, has not translated into viewership gains. Other anchors, facing declining audiences, have doubled down on high-profile interviews and investigative segments, but the impact has been minimal. The network’s primetime lineup, once a powerhouse with figures like Anderson Cooper and Chris Cuomo, now struggles to break the 500,000-viewer mark, a far cry from its peak in the early 2000s when it led cable news.

The Trump era has amplified CNN’s challenges. The president’s vocal criticism of the network, including his attacks on its coverage of his economic policies, has resonated with his base, potentially driving viewers to Fox News or alternative platforms like Newsmax, which saw a 30% viewership increase in May. CNN’s attempt to cover Trump objectively—balancing criticism with analysis—has not resonated with audiences seeking either unapologetic support or fierce opposition. This dynamic mirrors a broader shift in news consumption, where partisan loyalty often trumps nuance, leaving CNN caught in the crossfire.

Looking ahead, CNN faces a pivotal moment. The network’s restructuring efforts, including a focus on digital content and new programming, aim to attract younger viewers, but the decline in traditional cable viewership poses an existential threat. The rise of streaming services and social media platforms, where news is consumed in bite-sized clips, has eroded the relevance of 24-hour news cycles. CNN’s ability to innovate—whether through emerging stars like Abby Phillip or bold format changes—will determine its survival. For now, the ratings collapse serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing legacy media in a polarized, post-cable world.

The stunned reaction within CNN reflects a broader reckoning. As viewers continue to drift away, the network must confront tough questions about its identity and purpose. Is it a neutral arbiter, a liberal counterweight, or something else entirely? The answer remains unclear, but the numbers are unequivocal: without a dramatic turnaround, CNN risks fading into irrelevance, a cautionary tale of a once-dominant network struggling to find its place in a fractured media landscape. For its hosts, executives, and remaining viewers, the collapse is not just a statistic—it’s a call to action in a fight for survival.