The July 2012 ratings are in. Although cable news ratings can lag during summer months, the tragic mass shooting in Aurora, Colorado, 2012 presidential race, and the lure of the London Olympics seemed to keep viewers tuned in. Overall, ratings trends were maintained.

Fox News dominated the top thirteen spots in July and secured 13 out of the top 15 programs in the coveted 25-54 age demographic. MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell, whose 10:00 p.m. show "Last Word" beat "The Rachel Maddow Show," ranking as the network's highest rated program in July, broke Fox News' winning streak. "Last Word" increased by 11% in total viewers compared to July 2011. MSNBC held its place as the second highest rated cable news network, firmly situated behind Fox News and ahead of CNN.

The news was not as good for CNN, as the network was down 20 percent in total viewers from this time last year. Anderson Cooper's 8:00 p.m. show "AC360" was the only program to increase in viewers from July 2011. While the network posted lower viewership compared to this time last year, CNN's ratings were higher than last month in both total viewers and the key demographic.

CNN hit a 21-year prime time ratings low in the second quarter, after the network's 20-year prime time low in May, and 11-year low in total viewers in April. CNN chief Jim Walton resigned earlier this month, saying that the network needed new leadership during this time.

Take a look at July's top thirty cable news programs in the slideshow below:

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  • 1. The O'Reilly Factor

    Fox News -- 2.591 million total viewers

  • 2. Hannity

    Fox News -- 2.026 million total viewers

  • 3. Special Report with Bret Baier

    Fox News -- 1.82 million total viewers

  • 4. The Five

    Fox News -- 1.781 million total viewers

  • 5. On the Record with Greta van Susteren5

    Fox News -- 1.705 million total viewers

  • 6. Fox Report with Shepard Smith

    Fox News -- 1.551 million total viewers

  • 7. America's Newsroom

    Fox News -- 1.366 million total viewers

  • 8. Your World with Neil Cavuto

    Fox News -- 1.308 million total viewers

  • 9. America Live

    Fox News -- 1.214 million total viewers

  • 10. O'Reilly Factor (11PM)

    Fox News -- 1.168 million total viewers

  • 11. Studio B

    Fox News -- 1.103 million total viewers

  • 12. Happening Now

    Fox News -- 1.08 million total viewers

  • 13. Fox & Friends

    Fox News -- 1.075 million total viewers

  • 14. The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell

    MSNBC -- 967,000 total viewers

  • 15. The Rachel Maddow Show

    MSNBC -- 936,000 total viewers

  • 16. The Ed Show

    MSNBC -- 827,000 total viewers

  • 17. PoliticsNation

    MSNBC -- 696,000 total viewers

  • 18. Hardball with Chris Matthews

    MSNBC -- 696,000 total viewers

  • 19. The Ed Show (11 p.m.)

    MSNBC -- 567,000 total viewers

  • 20. Piers Morgan Tonight

    CNN -- 554,000 total viewers

  • 21. Anderson Cooper 360 (8 p.m.)

    CNN -- 532,000 total viewers

  • 22. Anderson Cooper 360 (10 p.m.)

    CNN -- 515,000 total viewers

  • 23. Martin Bashir

    MSNBC -- 514,000 total viewers

  • 24. The Situation Room

    CNN -- 494,000 total viewers

  • 25. Fox and Friends First

    Fox News -- 443,000 total viewers

  • 26. CNN Newsroom

    CNN -- 416,000 total viewers

  • 27. Now With Alex Wagner

    MSNBC -- 412,000 total viewers

  • 28. Red Eye

    Fox News -- 400,000 total viewers

  • 29. Erin Burnett OutFront

    CNN -- 396,000 total viewers

  • 30. NewsNation

    MSNBC -- 394,000 total viewers