CNN’s new late-night live news programme, The Story Is with Elex Michaelson, has failed to attract a significant audience since its launch on 27 October, according to Nielsen data. The show, which airs at midnight ET (9 pm PT), averaged 213,000 total viewers and 35,000 in the key 25-54 demographic through 21 November. This places it behind the reruns of Erin Burnett Outfront and Anderson Cooper 360 that previously occupied the slot, which drew 242,000 and 41,000 in the demo during the third quarter.
In head-to-head competition, Michaelson’s programme attracts less than one-third of Fox News’ post-midnight viewership (676,000 total viewers) and barely half of MS NOW’s (411,000). Compared to CNN’s own late-night reruns from a year ago, the show has seen a 72 percent drop among younger viewers, though that period included the 2024 presidential election and Donald Trump’s victory, which inflated ratings across news networks.
Despite the slow start, there are signs of growth. In its most recent week, The Story Is averaged 242,000 total viewers and 41,000 in the demo, matching CNN’s late-night performance from the previous quarter. The live format has allowed Michaelson to break news ahead of rivals, such as Marjorie Taylor Greene’s resignation and Trump’s meeting with Xi Jinping. Clips from his interviews with Gavin Newsom and Nancy Pelosi have also been picked up by other networks.
Michaelson faces broader industry challenges, including cord-cutting, streaming competition, and younger audiences shifting to online news. CNN’s total primetime viewership fell 42 percent in the third quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year, with a 58 percent decline in the 25-54 demographic.
