CNN sees lowest weekly primetime ratings among key demographic since 1991: report

During the week of May 13-19, CNN recorded its worst primetime ratings performance among the 25-54 demographic since 1991. 

To put it in perspective, the last time the network's ratings were that low, George Bush Sr. was president and Bryan Adams had just released Everything I Do. 

According to a report from Nielsen cited by the New York Post, between Monday and Sunday of the week in question, only 83,000 viewers between the ages of 25 and 54 tuned in to CNN's primetime programming, which runs from 8pm to 11pm. 

The primetime block begins with Anderson Cooper's AC360, and is followed by The Source with Kaitlan Collins. Abby Phillip caps off the evening with CNN NewsNight. 

Nielsen's report showed that it wasn't just 25 to 54-year-olds who weren't tuning in. Across all demographics, the network recorded just 494,000 viewers.  

While CNN struggled to attract an audience, its competitors were bringing in far higher numbers. Primetime viewership of MSNBC and Fox News among those aged 25 to 54 for example, was recorded at 111,000 and 186,000, respectively. 

Fox News garnered 2 million total viewers that week, over four times that of CNN, while MSNBC managed to pull in 1.1 million. 

A CNN spokesperson told the Post that despite the less-than-optimal weekly numbers, primetime ratings among the demographic are "all growing year over year." They added that the network is "registering double-digit year-over-year growth in viewership" for the timeslot beginning with Erin Burnett Outfront at 7pm and ending with the rebroadcast of Anderson Cooper's show at midnight. 

Since taking over for former CEO Chris Licht in October, Mark Thompson has been criticized for not taking enough risks to boost viewership and appears to be shifting existing pieces around instead of introducing new ideas. 

"We don't believe news is just politics," he told advertisers in New York last week, per the Post. "Business and tech are news. Climate and weather are news. Health, wellness, and living longer are news. So, expect to see us build new branded verticals in all these areas on TV, on our apps, and across our other platforms."