Which CNN anchors saw the biggest ratings increases in 2025 and why?
Executive summary
CNN’s biggest reported audience gains in early 2025 were month‑to‑month rebounds (December→January) rather than durable year‑over‑year wins: CNN’s primetime average rose 55% month‑to‑month in January and total‑day viewership was up 39% that month, with network statements touting double‑digit growth in September and Q3 2025 versus prior months [1] [2]. Available sources do not provide a clear, single list naming which individual anchors saw the largest ratings increases across all of 2025; reporting instead highlights show‑level movement (e.g., Erin Burnett, Jake Tapper, Abby Phillip) and network‑level month‑to‑month swings [3] [4] [1].
1. What the data actually shows — network‑level rebounds more than anchor breakouts
Multiple outlets report that CNN’s biggest measurable gains in early 2025 were broad, month‑to‑month increases — January 2025 primetime rose 55% versus December and total‑day grew 39% — rather than isolated “anchor miracles” tied to one host [1]. CNN’s own press release emphasizes double‑digit month‑over‑month growth across dayparts in September and Q3 2025, framing gains as multiplatform and network‑wide rather than the product of a single personality [2].
2. Which anchors and shows are repeatedly mentioned in coverage
Coverage cites several CNN programs and anchors when discussing audience performance: Erin Burnett’s OutFront is frequently identified as a top performer and led some nightly tallies [4]; Jake Tapper’s The Lead was the network’s top performer in total viewers in January [3]; NewsNight with Abby Phillip is singled out for strong nights and for finishing near the top in total viewers on particular dates [4]. None of the provided sources, however, present a definitive ranking that isolates “biggest increases” by anchor across all of 2025 [4] [3].
3. Why viewers moved — events, scheduling and personnel shifts
Analysts and trade pieces attribute fluctuation to news cycles (notably major domestic breaking news and off‑year election coverage), scheduling changes, and anchor availability. January’s gains were tied to high news volume (wildfires and early administration developments) and the general post‑holiday bounce, while November’s off‑year elections tripled recent nightly averages for CNN and MSNBC on election night [3] [5]. Cable‑wide shifts (Rachel Maddow’s schedule changes at MSNBC, Fox’s broader strength) also reshaped viewer flows rather than a single CNN anchor driving the spike [6] [7] [8].
4. The limits of the reporting — what’s not being shown
Available reporting emphasizes monthly and quarter comparisons; year‑over‑year and demo details show deeper declines across 2025 for CNN in some months (e.g., Q3 and July year‑over‑year drops) which complicate the “biggest increase” narrative because gains can be temporary rebounds off very low baselines [9] [10]. Sources do not publish a comprehensive, anchor‑by‑anchor chart of percentage increases across the full year 2025, so any claim about “which anchors saw the biggest ratings increases” is underdetermined by the materials provided [11] [2].
5. Competing narratives and possible agendas in coverage
Trade outlets (Adweek, Deadline, Hollywood Reporter) stress month‑to‑month recovery and contextualize gains; network PR highlights multiplatform success in selective months [6] [8] [2]. Opinion and local reporting emphasize different frames — e.g., storylines about layoffs or anchor exits can color perceptions of ratings performance [12]. Readers should note that network press releases have an incentive to present improvement in favorable terms, while some outlets focus on long‑term declines to argue a broader crisis for CNN [2] [10].
6. Bottom line for the original question
No single, authoritative dataset in the supplied reporting names which CNN anchor had the largest sustained ratings increase in 2025; available coverage points to show‑level month‑to‑month rebounds (notably Erin Burnett, Jake Tapper and Abby Phillip on certain nights) and network statements of double‑digit monthly growth [4] [3] [2]. For a definitive anchor‑by‑anchor ranking you would need Nielsen‑level tables or a comprehensive trade release that the current sources do not provide — not found in current reporting [11].