Local NEWS Dominates Cable News Networks!
By Michael Steinberg | VP, TV Insights & Analytics | Katz Media Group
Local news continues to out deliver cable news networks by a wide margin. In February 2024, local late news programs delivered 13.5 million households and 16.0 million Adults 35+, over five times more audience than the combined number of the top five cable networks deliver throughout the day.
Local early news held a similar advantage with an average of 13.5 million households and 15.7 million Adults 35+ compared to cable's top 5 combined average daily delivery of 2,419 households and 2,733 Adults 35+.
The combination of local early and late newscasts on Broadcast accounts for 80% of HH and Adult 35+ news viewing, when compared to cable news primetime on the top 5 nets. In other words, cable news is only accounting for 20%. Additionally, for Adults 25-54, local early/late news accounts for 88% of News viewing.
Chart is interactive, click on demo
A comparison of local news and cable network news from Mon-Fri 5-8PM hours reveals 88% of Adults 25-54 news viewers choose to watch local news. 78% of Adults 35+ news viewers are watching local news. In addition, local news delivers 7x the households of its closest cable news competitor.
Chart is interactive, click on demo
Viewers trust their local news more than cable network news. A NEW Katz survey of Adults 18+ found that 73% trust their local news compared to 55% for cable network news.