CNN’s once-mighty cable news dominance has crumbled, with July Nielsen ratings placing the network 14th in overall viewership.
Averaging just over 500,000 viewers, CNN now trails far behind Fox News’s 2.6 million and NBC’s nearly 4 million.
CNN ranked below the Food Network, highlighting a shift in viewer preferences toward lighter, non-political programming.
CNN was once a dominant force in cable news, regularly ranking among the top three networks in total viewership.
The network saw peak ratings during major news events like the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections, when millions tuned in, according to CNN’s own data.
However, in recent years, CNN has faced steady erosion of its audience share amid intensifying competition and changing viewer habits.
The decline comes after CNN CEO Mark Thompson instructed producers earlier this year to soften the network’s coverage of President Donald Trump’s legal cases.
Anchors were advised not to “pre-judge” Trump’s actions, signaling an editorial shift aimed at moderating the network’s tone.
Despite these efforts, CNN’s ratings continued to slide amid increasing competition and a polarized media environment.
CNN’s credibility has also taken hits due to on-air controversies.
Erin Burnett faced backlash after inaccurately describing the Manhattan shooter’s race, damaging viewer trust.
Correspondent