Morning Joe Ratings: Latest Data & Analysis - Read Now!
Is the sun setting on the "Morning Joe" empire? Recent data paints a picture of fluctuating fortunes, suggesting a need for strategic recalibration at MSNBC's flagship morning show.
The landscape of morning television, a battlefield of breaking news and political commentary, is always shifting. Ratings, the lifeblood of any broadcast, dictate the success or failure of a program. "Morning Joe," the long-running MSNBC staple hosted by Joe Scarborough, Mika Brzezinski, and Willie Geist, has been a constant presence in this arena since its premiere on April 9, 2007. However, the past few months have presented a complex narrative, demanding closer scrutiny of the show's performance and its ability to captivate an audience in an increasingly fragmented media environment.
Recent data from Quarter 1 of 2025 showed that "Morning Joe" faced a challenge, averaging 64,000 viewers in the key demographic, while a competing CNN show, hosted by Sara Sidner, Kate Bolduan, and John Berman, attracted 73,000. While this indicates a potential decline in the coveted demographic, it's important to consider the broader context. As of April 16, 2025, "Morning Joe" was watched by a total of 690,000 people, representing a 0.22% rating, up 7% from November 20, 2024. This reveals that despite the fluctuating figures in the key demographic, overall viewership has demonstrated signs of stability, or even modest growth, which the network might see as a positive trend.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Show Name | Morning Joe |
| Hosts | Joe Scarborough, Mika Brzezinski, Willie Geist |
| Network | MSNBC |
| Premiere Date | April 9, 2007 |
| Primary Focus | News and Political Commentary |
| Notable Mentions | Frequently discusses current political events and features interviews with political figures. |
| Engagement Score (as of recent data) | .24 (according to television stats algorithm evaluating online audience activity and engagement) |
| Podcast Performance | One of MSNBC's top-performing audio showcasts in Q1 2025, averaging 1.2 million monthly downloads. |
| Viewership | 690,000 total viewers (0.22% rating, as of April 16, 2025) |
| Key Demographic | Viewers aged 25-54 (most coveted by advertisers) |
| Website | MSNBC Official Page |
The fluctuations in ratings have spurred conversation. A precipitous ratings drop during a specific week caused concern. On Wednesday of that week, "Morning Joe" drew an average of 647,000 viewers overall, but only 51,000 within the crucial 25-54 demographic, the cohort most attractive to advertisers in news programming. Furthermore, the program experienced a ratings hit on Tuesday as well, averaging 638,000 viewers overall with just 81,000 in the key demo during the 6 a.m. hour. The 6 a.m. hour of the Monday, November 20 episode, for instance, where the hosts discussed their meeting with a prominent figure, became a significant point of observation.
One might wonder what is driving the shift in audience behavior. The competitive landscape, with shows like Fox & Friends on FNC, and other programs vying for viewers' attention, is a factor. "Morning Joe" airs for four hours each morning, and the varying times viewers tune in contribute to the dynamics. However, other factors might be at play.
An MSNBC spokesperson attempted to contextualize the ratings changes, highlighting that the show has witnessed a 17% increase in overall viewership since a particular key date. However, this optimistic framing requires balancing against the aforementioned dips in the crucial demographic, which is often the barometer used to evaluate success by those who advertise. Even with the rise in overall viewership, the audience, the 25 to 54 key demographic has a significant impact on advertising revenue and the show's perceived value in the media landscape.
As noted by Mediaite, "Morning Joe"'s ratings have seemingly remained relatively steady since a key event. However, the specifics behind the story need a deeper assessment. Analyzing the historical data shows the show's performance patterns over time. For instance, "Morning Joe" averaged 174,000 demo viewers from 7 to 10 a.m. This data, coupled with the 6 a.m. hour numbers, provides a fuller picture of the daily audience experience.
The show's audio showcast continues to perform well. With 1.2 million average monthly downloads in Q1 2025, "Morning Joe" remains a top-performing podcast for MSNBC. This highlights how people consume news and content is changing, with listeners embracing both traditional television viewing and on-demand audio. The podcast's popularity indicates that the show's content, particularly in audio format, still resonates with a dedicated audience.
The historical context is equally important in understanding the present situation. In its early years, "Morning Joe" averaged approximately 237,000 viewers in 2007, according to Nielsen Media Research. Analyzing its ratings over the years helps one understand its growth and how the audience has evolved with the news and the show. Over the past two years, the show has remained one of the most-watched morning programs on cable news.
The data from Saturday, April 26, 2025, further illustrates the show's position in the media ecosystem. "Morning Joe" ranked as the #1538 most popular show online and was the #1 most popular TV show on MSNBC. Furthermore, the show's current engagement score stands at .24, according to the television stats algorithm, which evaluates online audience activity and engagement across platforms such as search, website traffic, and social media. These are some factors that influence the performance of the program.
Cable news viewership is prone to fluctuation, so it's essential to avoid sweeping pronouncements. The cable news ratings from Tuesday, August 9, showed a very competitive landscape. While other programs like "The Five" drew 4 million viewers, "Morning Joe" was back over 1 million viewers. However, during the same week, one hour of the program brought in 113,000 viewers in the demo before declining 38% to a lower number. As well as, in the last week, the network saw its lowest ratings in 25 years.
As the media landscape continues to shift, "Morning Joe" faces a complex set of challenges. Maintaining the show's core audience while attracting a new generation of viewers is crucial. The hosts' ability to provide insightful analysis and attract compelling guests remains pivotal. The show's future will depend on its ability to adapt to the changing media environment, sustain its relevance in the news cycle, and to offer a product that maintains its current audience, while also attracting new, younger audiences. The performance of "Morning Joe" in the coming months will be a key indicator of its long-term prospects and its ability to remain a dominant force in the competitive morning television landscape.
