PNN – A new survey by the Public Relations Research Center of the Associated Press and Nork shows that the American people are tired of political news; about two-thirds of American adults say they have recently felt the need to limit their media use of politics and government.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network, the survey, which was published on Thursday local time, says that a smaller percentage of Americans limit news about conflicts abroad, the economy or climate change. But the issue of politics is different.
Polls show that Democrats are more disengaged from the news than Republicans
The poll, conducted in early December 2024, found that 7 in 10 Democrats say they avoid political news. That percentage isn’t much different for Republicans, who have reason to celebrate Trump’s victory. However, 6 in 10 Republicans say they need to stay away from political news, and the share of independents is similar.
These differences are much more intense for TV channels that are focused on political news.
After election night (Nov. 5, 2024) through Dec. 13, MSNBC averaged 620,000 viewers, down 54 percent from this year’s pre-election audience, Nielsen said. At the same time, CNN’s average viewership was 405,000, a 45% decrease.
Nielsen added: Fox News channel, the favorite news network of Trump fans, averaged 2.68 million viewers after the election increased by 13%. Since the election, 72 percent of people who watch one of the three networks are Fox News fans, compared to 53 percent before Election Day.
Will political interest return with Trump’s inauguration?
MSNBC can gain some popularity. In years past, when the slump in viewership wears off after an election loss, network ratings bounce back. When a new government takes office, those who oppose it often look for a network that aligns with their policy stance.
But the situation may not change easily for MSNBC. The fall in popularity of this network is faster than in 2016. People are also cutting back on cable TV by watching it faster than ever before.
The poll shows that Americans generally want less talk about politics from public figures.
After an election season in which celebrity endorsements like Taylor Swift made headlines, the poll found Americans are more likely to disapprove of celebrities, corporations and professional athletes talking about politics.
The survey of 1,251 adults was conducted between December 5 and 9, 2024, and the sampling error is 3.7 percent.