In a weekend that will go down as one of the most lopsided battles in cable news history, Fox News scored a decisive victory over rivals CNN and MSNBC, leaving the industry stunned and CNN anchor Jessica Dean visibly emotional in the aftermath. The latest Nielsen ratings for Sunday, August 24, 2025, reveal a landscape dominated by Fox News, whose anchors and programming not only swept the top slots but also set new records for viewership, influence, and cultural impact.

Fox News’ Unprecedented Ratings Sweep

Fox News didn’t just win the weekend—they obliterated the competition. According to Nielsen Media Research, Fox News claimed 14 of the 15 most-watched cable news programs on Sunday, with a total day average of 1.078 million viewers and a primetime average soaring to 1.420 million. By contrast, CNN limped in with just 268,000 total day viewers and 233,000 in primetime, while MSNBC managed only 292,000 and 283,000, respectively.

The coveted Adults 25-54 demographic, prized by advertisers, followed the same trend: Fox News drew 115,000 viewers in total day and 131,000 in primetime, dwarfing CNN’s 37,000 and 46,000, and MSNBC’s 30,000 in both categories. The numbers not only cement Fox News’ dominance but also underscore the network’s ability to connect with key audiences.

Anchors Drive Fox’s Dominance

The standout moment came at 10 a.m. ET, when Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo drew 1.694 million total viewers, making it the day’s most-watched cable news hour. CNN’s Fareed Zakaria GPS managed 588,000 viewers, while Jessica Dean’s Newsroom struggled to keep pace. But the real shock came in primetime, where Fox’s heavyweights—Mark Levin, Brian Kilmeade, and Trey Gowdy—led the charge.

At 8 p.m., Life, Liberty & Levin attracted 1.418 million viewers, followed by Sunday Night in America with Trey Gowdy at 9 p.m., which dominated with a staggering 1.562 million viewers. The Brian Kilmeade Show at 10 p.m. kept the momentum going with 1.280 million. In a twist that has the industry buzzing, sources suggest Trey Gowdy may have clinched both the No. 1 and No. 2 most-watched slots on Sunday, a feat rarely achieved by a single anchor.

“This isn’t just winning—it’s rewriting the playbook on cable news,” said one industry insider. “Gowdy’s double victory is a testament to his influence and Fox’s loyal audience.”

CNN’s Crisis: Jessica Dean’s Tearful Admission

While Fox News celebrated, the mood at CNN was grim. Jessica Dean, a respected anchor known for her composure, reportedly broke down during an internal meeting, her tears reflecting the network’s broader crisis. For Dean, whose Newsroom at 5, 6, and 7 p.m. drew only 309,000, 289,000, and 247,000 viewers respectively, the defeat was personal and professional.

“We’re fighting an uphill battle,” Dean reportedly told colleagues, her voice cracking. The challenges at CNN are mounting: the network has faced layoffs, a revamped daytime lineup, and the unexpected departure of anchor Jim Acosta earlier in 2025. Ratings for primetime stalwarts like Anderson Cooper 360 (573,000 viewers) and CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip (116,000 in the 25-54 demo) have failed to gain traction.

MSNBC, while slightly ahead of CNN, also struggled. The Rachel Maddow Show—once a ratings powerhouse—now airs just once a week, averaging 2.024 million viewers on its sole broadcast.

Social Media Erupts

The ratings rout sparked a frenzy online. Clips from Fox News’ top programs went viral, with X (formerly Twitter) users dissecting Trey Gowdy’s fiery commentary and Mark Levin’s unapologetic takes. Hashtags like #FoxRules and #CNNTears trended for hours, while memes mocking CNN’s dismal performance flooded social platforms. One viral meme joked, “Jessica Dean’s tears could fill the ratings gap between CNN and Fox!”

Fox News’ victory lap was impossible to ignore, as the network’s social accounts gleefully shared highlights from their weekend sweep. Meanwhile, speculation swirled about Gowdy’s future—could he be in line for a promotion or a new flagship show after his double triumph?

Industry Impact and Fox’s Future

Fox News’ dominance is not a fluke. The network has now maintained its status as cable news’ most-watched channel for 94 consecutive quarters, outperforming even broadcast giants like ABC and NBC in primetime. Analysts predict Fox’s grip on the national conversation will only tighten, driven by anchors who resonate with a fiercely loyal audience.

The implications for CNN are stark. The network faces a reckoning: more lineup changes, budget cuts, and possibly a shift in editorial strategy may be needed to claw back viewers. For Jessica Dean, the emotional fallout is a reminder of the personal toll that ratings battles can take. While she remains respected within CNN, her ability to lead the network out of its current slump is now in question.

The New Reality in Cable News

As the dust settles, one reality stands out: Fox News doesn’t just compete—it dominates. Their anchors own the screen, dictate the narrative, and command viewer loyalty at levels unmatched by their competitors. For CNN and MSNBC, the weekend of August 24, 2025, was a sobering reminder of the mountain they must climb to regain relevance.

Jessica Dean’s tearful admission captured the pain of defeat, but also the resilience required to survive in the relentless world of cable news. As Fox News looks ahead to even greater heights, its rivals must regroup, rethink, and rebuild. In the brutal arena of cable news, only the strongest survive—and for now, Fox News reigns supreme.