CNBC’s SpaceX IPO coverage on Friday was its highest rated day in five years for total viewers.
Among viewers in the key 25-54 demographic, CNBC was the No. 3 most-watched cable network during Friday market hours behind only ESPN and Fox News.
Among total viewers, CNBC was the No. 5 most-watched cable network during Friday market hours. During the 11 a.m. hour of “Squawk on the Street” (when the stock began trading on the Nasdaq), viewership was up 103% versus prior Fridays.
“All the anchors across our programming, from David Faber to Melissa Lee – who anchored five hours of programming before and after the bell – spoke with leading investors, analysts, and market participants, giving audiences the insight and expertise needed to understand one of the most consequential IPOs in history,” wrote editor in chief David Cho in an email to the staff. “The Markets and Tech teams partnered on a live blog featuring real-time reporting, interview highlights, analysis, video clips, and key developments as they happened. The result was a fast, dynamic experience that complemented our on-air coverage and helped audiences stay informed across platforms.”
On the CNBC website, unique visitors were up 43% vs. the Friday average, and it was the technology section’s biggest traffic day since April 2025.
