Staff Reports
Cable news viewership trends reveal a tale of triumph and despair, with the triumph firmly belonging to conservatives. While some may look at the figures and feel a sense of discontent, the overwhelming narrative is one of satisfaction, particularly when considering the colossal collapse of CNN since it embarked on its ill-fated vendetta against President Trump.
To grasp the enormity of CNN’s failure, one merely needs to look back to 2016 when the network prided itself on being the most-watched cable news outlet with a staggering 13.3 million viewers during prime-time. Fast forward to today, and that number has plummeted to a mere 800,000—an eye-watering decline of roughly 94 percent. The U.K.’s Daily Mail highlights this descent into mediocrity, underscoring how CNN’s obsession with dismantling Trump has quite literally cost them their audience.
The dismal viewer turnout for CNN on election night in 2024 serves as a cherry on top of this disaster. On November 5, CNN recorded only 5.1 million viewers, falling short of MSNBC’s 6 million and trailing far behind Fox News, which dominated prime-time with 10.3 million viewers. Clearly, the once-revered network has become the underdog in what appears to be a losing battle, prompting reports of impending layoffs hitting their ranks.
While CNN clings to familiar faces known for their anti-Trump sentiment, like Jim Acosta and Jake Tapper, it finds itself facing increasing scrutiny from both viewers and executives. The current salary structure at the network is curious; while Anderson Cooper rakes in a whopping $20 million, younger talent like Kaitlan Collins earns a mere $3 million. This disparity illustrates the absurdity of prioritizing long-time personalities over fresh perspectives, leaving new CEO Mark Thompson grappling with a tough decision. Should CNN persist in its costly campaign against Trump, or pivot to promote voices that might resonate more with viewers?
Appears Harris/Walz may have only legitimately received 6% of America's votes. That's far worse than the 25% I originally thought they got based on one of the leftists bragging about being 'part of the 25%'.https://t.co/yWmVSiRHsm
— MelanieOW (@KittTruth) November 15, 2024
There are indeed signs that CNN could make a turn toward redemption; a few hosts like Erin Burnett have occasionally staggered away from the network’s typical leftist narrative, and conservative commentator Scott Jennings has begun to make waves. However, the discouraging reality is that many liberal viewers have already abandoned ship for MSNBC, where the climate is overtly hostile to any dissenting opinion. While CNN gives room for perspectives like Jennings or Burnett’s, MSNBC is all-in on a cacophony of far-left rhetoric, headed by personalities whose presence often breeds division rather than dialogue.
Despite these alarming trends, conservatives have every reason to celebrate the failures of cable news networks like CNN. The numbers tell a clear story: a once-dominant platform has lost its way, much like an out-of-touch political establishment. With Trump’s continued success, the airwaves are shifting, and for that, it is important to recognize the victory over a network that still pretends to uphold journalistic integrity while pandering to the left. As Trump’s defeat of CNN unfolds, it highlights a broader victory for truth and conservative values in an increasingly polarized media landscape.
