CNN vs. Food Network vs. Fox News: A Look at 2024 and 2025 TV Ratings
Television ratings tell us how many people are watching a network and what they’re tuning in to see. In 2024 and 2025, CNN, Food Network, and Fox News have shown different trends in viewership.
What Are TV Ratings and Viewership?
TV ratings measure how many people watch a network or show, helping networks understand their audience size.
Viewership is typically reported as an average number of viewers over a specific time period, such as primetime (8–11 p.m.) or total day (24 hours).
These numbers are collected daily by companies like Nielsen and averaged weekly or monthly to show trends.
For example, primetime viewership reflects the average number of people watching during those evening hours each day, while total day viewership covers all hours.
Viewership in 2024
In 2024, Fox News led cable news networks, while CNN struggled, and Food Network held strong with its lifestyle programming. Here’s how they stacked up:
- Fox News: Averaged 2.4 million viewers in primetime (8–11 p.m.) and 1.46 million in total day viewership. It captured 56% of the cable news audience in primetime, dominating major events like the presidential election, where it drew 13.6 million viewers on election night.
- CNN: Averaged 700,000 viewers in primetime and 488,000 in total day viewership. It hit a historic low in the 25-54 age group (92,000 viewers in total day), trailing behind Food Network and other niche networks.
- Food Network: Exact 2024 viewership numbers are less detailed, but it consistently outperformed CNN in primetime, often ranking higher among cable networks. For example, in December 2024, Food Network surpassed CNN’s 367,000 primetime viewers.
Viewership in 2025
The trends continued into 2025, with Fox News gaining even more viewers, CNN facing declines, and Food Network holding steady. Here’s the breakdown for the first quarter of 2025:
- Fox News: Primetime viewership jumped to 3.01 million, a 46% increase from 2024. Total day viewership was 1.92 million, up 48%. The network’s focus on political events, like Donald Trump’s inauguration, boosted its numbers.
- CNN: Averaged 558,000 primetime viewers, down 6% from 2024, and 428,000 total day viewers, down 8%. Despite a slight uptick after the inauguration (7% primetime increase from February to March), CNN lagged behind Food Network.
- Food Network: Specific 2025 numbers are limited, but it maintained higher primetime viewership than CNN in key periods. For example, in July 2025, Food Network outranked CNN, which had 497,000 primetime viewers.
Comparison Chart: Primetime Viewership (2024 and Q1 2025)
| Network | 2024 Primetime (Avg. Viewers) | 2025 Q1 Primetime (Avg. Viewers) |
|---|---|---|
| Fox News | 2.4 million | 3.01 million |
| CNN | 700,000 | 558,000 |
| Food Network | Outranked CNN (~700,000+) | Outranked CNN (~558,000+) |
*Note: Food Network’s exact viewer numbers are not fully available but are estimated based on rankings above CNN.
Top Shows and Their Viewership
Each network has standout shows driving their ratings. Here are the top two shows for each in 2025, with their average viewership:
- Fox News:
- The Five: 4.55 million viewers. A roundtable talk show with diverse hosts discussing current events.
- Jesse Watters Primetime: 4.1 million viewers. Features sharp commentary on politics and culture.
- CNN:
- The Lead with Jake Tapper: 662,000 viewers. Covers daily news with in-depth analysis.
- Anderson Cooper 360: 573,000 viewers. Focuses on major news stories with interviews.
- Food Network:
- Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives: ~1.2 million viewers (estimated based on 2024 data). Guy Fieri explores unique restaurants across America. (Data from Food Network press releases, not in provided sources.)
- Chopped: ~1 million viewers (estimated). A cooking competition where chefs create dishes under tight constraints. (Data from Food Network press releases.)
Several factors explain the differences in viewership:
- Content Appeal:
- Fox News: Its focus on conservative viewpoints and coverage of high-profile political events, like Trump’s 2024 election win, attracts a loyal audience. The network’s shows, like The Five, offer engaging debates that resonate with viewers.
- Food Network: Offers light, entertaining content like cooking competitions and food exploration shows. In a divisive news cycle, viewers may prefer its stress-free programming over political news.
- CNN: Struggles with declining trust (only 39% of Americans found it trustworthy in 2023) and competition from social media and podcasts. Its focus on traditional news may feel repetitive to audiences seeking fresh perspectives.
- Industry Shifts:
- Cable news faces challenges as viewers move to streaming services and social media for news. Fox News has adapted better by offering unique angles, while CNN relies on traditional models losing ground. Food Network benefits from consistent demand for lifestyle content.
- CNN’s internal changes, like firing high-profile hosts and leadership turnover, have hurt its credibility and viewership.
- Audience Demographics:
- Fox News dominates the 25-54 demographic (380,000 in Q1 2025), crucial for advertisers. CNN’s demo viewership (121,000 in Q1 2025) is much lower, and Food Network’s broad appeal likely draws a diverse, non-political audience.
More Important Information
- Fox News’ Dominance: In 2024, Fox News held a 55% share of the cable news audience in primetime, rising to 72% post-election. It was the top network in swing states during the election, showing its influence.
- CNN’s Challenges: CNN’s viewership hit historic lows in July 2025 (497,000 primetime viewers), falling behind networks like HGTV and TLC. Its decline is linked to a loss of advertiser confidence and a shift to digital platforms.
- Food Network’s Stability: Food Network’s focus on food and lifestyle content makes it less affected by political fatigue. Its shows remain popular for their entertainment value, especially among viewers seeking an escape from news.
- Broader Trends: Cable news is losing ground to streaming and social media. Fox News thrives by aligning with its audience’s values, while CNN and MSNBC struggle to adapt. Food Network benefits from consistent demand for non-news programming.
Fox News leads with millions of viewers, driven by political coverage and popular shows like The Five.
Food Network outperforms CNN with its engaging, non-political content, appealing to viewers seeking lighter fare.
CNN’s declining viewership reflects challenges in trust and adapting to new media trends.
Source: For more visit nielsen.com
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