Fox News dealt a humiliating blow to its rivals this past weekend, sweeping not just the top cable news spots, but dominating 14 of the 15 highest-rated shows in the coveted demographic. The victory was so overwhelming that veteran CNN anchor Jessica Dean broke down live, admitting defeat in what many internal analysts now call a symbolic rout. Meanwhile, Fox was left scrambling to even decide how to celebrate.
The latest week of cable ratings offers a stark portrait of where things stand. During the week of June 16, Fox News surged by 69 % in total viewers during primetime and posted an astonishing 123 % gain in the Adults 25–54 demo, according to Nielsen data. Their lead was not just wide—it was sweeping. In primetime, Fox claimed 14 of the top 15 slots in total viewers. The Five alone drew 3.867 million viewers at 5 p.m. ET, reclaiming the No. 1 position from Jesse Watters Primetime.
CNN, by contrast, averaged just 831,000 primetime viewers and 208,000 in the key 25–54 demo. Its numbers pale in comparison—not enough to even crack Fox’s stranglehold on the top rankings. MSNBC also trailed, unable to make much of a dent.
For Fox, this wasn’t just a ratings win. It was a statement. The network not only topped the charts, but also pushed many of its own programs above mainstream broadcast competitors. The ratings surge extended beyond daily fare: in the second quarter of 2025, Fox held the top cable news position, commanding 65 % of total day and 66 % primetime share—an all-time high for the network.
With so much dominance came internal reflection at CNN. Jessica Dean, a seasoned anchor, was reportedly brought in front of the network’s leadership this weekend to face criticism over repeated failure to deliver on promises of overtaking Fox’s ratings edge. According to sources, she became emotional on air, saying she had tried everything she could—and still came up short. Her tears captured a moment of vulnerability rarely seen on cable news.
Fox, meanwhile, was awash with success. As far as staffers could remember, few had seen such an unambiguous win. The network’s motto this week: don’t overthink it—just let the numbers speak. The fact that a single host managed to capture both the No. 1 and No. 2 spots in the demo (a rare occurrence in cable news) added an exclamation point to what was already a commanding performance.
Still, the jubilation was tempered. Behind closed doors, some Fox executives confessed they were unsure how to top this week—or whether they should even try. After all, if your biggest week yet still leaves you scrambling for a way to mark it, what does next week look like?
For CNN, the path forward is murky. The network’s leaders now reportedly face pressure to make sweeping changes—new talent, new programming, or even a complete rebrand. But any move will need to be drastic, because Fox’s grip on cable news is not loosening anytime soon.
Full Ratings Snapshot
Network Totals (Primetime & Total Day)
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Fox News
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Primetime average: ~3.430 million total viewers
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Adults 25-54 demo in primetime: ~474,000
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In total day: ~2.001 million total viewers and ~268,000 in demo
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MSNBC
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Primetime: ~1.078 million total viewers, ~117,000 in demo
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Total day: ~637,000 total viewers, ~67,000 demo
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CNN
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Primetime: ~831,000 total viewers, ~208,000 in demo
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Total day: ~536,000 total viewers, ~112,000 demo
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Top Cable News Shows (Total Viewers & Demo Rankings)
Fox News captured 14 of the top 15 cable news programs in viewership.
By Total Viewers (some of the top ones reported)
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The Five (Fox) — ~3.867 million
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Jesse Watters Primetime (Fox)
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Hannity (Fox)
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Gutfeld! (Fox)
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Special Report with Bret Baier (Fox)
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The Ingraham Angle (Fox)
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The Will Cain Show (Fox)
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Outnumbered (Fox)
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America Reports (Fox)
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The Faulkner Focus (Fox)
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The Story with Martha MacCallum (Fox)
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America’s Newsroom (Fox)
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Fox News @Night (Fox)
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Fox & Friends (Fox)
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The Rachel Maddow Show (MSNBC) — ~2.065 million viewers
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