NEW YORK (May 29, 2019) – MSNBC continued its dominance over CNN by topping the network in total viewers during total day (M-Su 6am-6am), dayside (M-F 9am-5pm), prime (M-Su 8-11pm) and weekend total day (Sa-Su 6am-6am), according to Nielsen. May marked another month in which MSNBC handily bested CNN in total viewers: the 27th straight month in total day, 20th straight month in dayside, 28th straight month in prime and 4th straight month during weekend total day.

Across all of cable television, MSNBC was also the #2 most-watched network in total day and dayside among total viewers. In total day, MSNBC nearly doubled CNN in total viewers (912,000 vs. 553,000). In dayside, MSNBC averaged 975,000 total viewers (vs. CNN’s 654,000) (MSNBC ranked ahead of #3 CNN and #4 Nickelodeon). MSNBC was the only cable news network to grow during dayside, up +8% in total viewers (vs. FOX News’ -2% and CNN’s -8%) compared to May 2018.

“Morning Joe” at 6am dominated CNN in A25-54 for the 19th straight month and in total viewers for the 51st straight month. “Morning Joe” averaged 1.1M total viewers, doubling CNN (485,000). In A25-54, “Morning Joe” averaged 171,000 (vs. CNN’s 136,000).

“Deadline: White House” at 4pm again was #1 in total viewers, beating FOX News for the 6th month in a row and CNN for the last 20 months. “Deadline” averaged 1.4M total viewers (vs. FOX News’ 1.34M and CNN’s 706,000). In A25-54, “Deadline” averaged 166,000, beating CNN for the 3rd month in a row.

“Hardball with Chris Matthews” at 7pm topped CNN in total viewers for the 34th straight month. “Hardball” averaged 1.4M total viewers (vs. CNN’s 747,000). In A25-54, “Hardball” bested CNN, averaging 193,000 (vs. CNN’s 189,000).

“All In with Chris Hayes” at 8pm bested CNN in A25-54 for the 3rd month in a row and in total viewers for the 30th month in a row. “All In” averaged 234,000 viewers A25-54 (vs. CNN’s 217,000) and 1.6M total viewers (vs. CNN’s 912,000).

“The Rachel Maddow Show” at 9pm topped CNN in A25-54 for the 28th consecutive month and in total viewers for the 72nd straight month. “Maddow” averaged 410,000 viewers A25-54 (vs. CNN’s 228,000) and nearly tripled CNN in total viewers with 2.6M (vs. CNN’s 938,000).

“The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell” at 10pm again bested CNN in both A25-54 and total viewers for the month. “The Last Word” more than doubled CNN in total viewers (2.04M vs. CNN’s 840,000) and beat CNN in A25-54 (289,000 vs. CNN’s 215,000).

“The 11th Hour with Brian Williams” was again #1 in total viewers at 11pm, topping FOX News and CNN. This was the 34th month in a row that “The 11th Hour” beat CNN in total viewers and 6th straight month in A25-54. “The 11th Hour” averaged 1.45M total viewers (vs. FOX News’ 1.43M and CNN’s 597,000).

Every weekday MSNBC program from 5am-3am topped CNN in total viewers, including: “Morning Joe First Look” at 5am for the 19th straight month; “MSNBC Live with Stephanie Ruhle” at 9am for the 28th straight month; “MSNBC Live with Hallie Jackson” at 10am for the 20th straight month; “MSNBC Live with Craig Melvin” at 11am for the 20th straight month; “Andrea Mitchell Reports” at 12pm for the 23rd straight month; “MSNBC Live with Velshi & Ruhle” at 1pm for the 19th straight month; “MSNBC Live with Katy Tur” at 2pm for the 7th straight month; “MSNBC Live with Ali Velshi” at 3pm for the 19th straight month; “MTP Daily” at 5pm for the 25th straight month; and “The Beat with Ari Melber” at 6pm for the 23rd straight month.

Several weekends programs also beat CNN in total viewers, including: “AM Joy” at 10am on Saturdays for the 20th straight month and Sundays for the 6th straight month; “Kasie DC” on Sundays at 7pm for the 14th straight month; “Weekends with Alex Witt” at 12pm on Saturdays for the 5th straight month; and “UP with David Gura” at 8am on Saturdays for the 3rd straight month.

NOTE: May 2019 ratings are based on Nielsen Live+Same data day for 4/29/19-5/26/19. Unless specified, individual show data represents regular programming only, excluding specials and breaking news.

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