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Fox News Channel Dominates Cable News Ratings
Fox News Channel has solidified its position as America’s leading cable news network for an impressive 24 consecutive years. This remarkable achievement came after an outstanding January, in which Fox News achieved nearly 60 percent of the total cable news share across both total day and primetime segments.
Unmatched Viewership Figures
During the first month of 2026, Fox News Channel outperformed both MS NOW and CNN combined, attracting a significant audience in total day and primetime viewership. This trend highlights the ongoing reliance on Fox News for critical information and analysis among viewers.
Leadership Highlights Achievements
FOX News Media CEO Suzanne Scott expressed her pride in the Fox News team. She acknowledged that the network’s continued success reflects the dedication and effort that have characterized Fox News since its inception 30 years ago. Scott also noted that Fox News is not just leading in cable but is also rivaling traditional broadcast networks. The network strives to deliver essential stories while meeting viewers where they are.
Stellar Viewer Engagement
In terms of viewership metrics for January, Fox News averaged 1.4 million total day viewers. This figure dwarfed the viewership of MS NOW at 589,000 viewers and CNN at 510,000 viewers. In primetime, Fox News reported an average of two million viewers, while MS NOW and CNN lagged significantly with 887,000 and 660,000, respectively.
Achieving Consistency Over Time
Fox News has consistently ranked No. 1 in cable news during primetime for an astonishing 60 continuous months. This includes airing 98 of the top 100 cable news programs for the month, marking a long-standing trend of exceptional ratings.
Target Demographics Lead to Advertiser Appeal
When examining the crucial demographic of adults aged 25 to 54, Fox News averaged 143,000 total day viewers – significantly ahead of CNN’s 96,000 and MS NOW’s mere 55,000. Notably, MS NOW did not even make it to the top ten cable options, finishing behind popular channels like USA, ESPN2, HGTV, and more.
Primetime Performance in Perspective
In primetime, Fox News attracted 197,000 viewers in the advertiser-coveted demographic, with CNN averaging 135,000 and MS NOW trailing at only 76,000. This marks the 59th consecutive month that Fox News has swept across total day, primetime, and demo viewers.
Fox News vs. Competitors
While Fox News easily left its cable competitors behind, the network also overtook CBS in weekday primetime viewership, averaging 2.4 million viewers compared to CBS’s 2.2 million. This accomplishment underscores Fox’s dominance across various viewing times.
Top Shows and Viewer Metrics
The program titled “The Five,” featuring hosts Dana Perino, Greg Gutfeld, Jesse Watters, Jessica Tarlov, and Harold Ford Jr., averaged 3.7 million viewers and 328,000 in the demo, making it the No. 1 show on cable television. Notably, it surpassed competitor broadcast programs like NBC’s “Happy’s Place,” ABC’s “911 Nashville,” and “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune.”
Primetime Highlights
Among the primetime lineup, “Jesse Watters Primetime” emerged as a leader with 3 million viewers and 275,000 in the 25 to 54 demographic. Other prominent shows like “Hannity,” “The Ingraham Angle,” and “FOX News @ Night with Trace Gallagher” continued their strong performance, dominating their respective slots.
Late Night Ratings Dominance
The late-night program “Gutfeld!” maintained its authority across all late-night television, reaching an audience of 2.8 million viewers and 314,000 in the demo. This impressive performance allowed it to overshadow every broadcast and cable late-night competitor, including CBS’ “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
Morning Show Leadership
“FOX & Friends” has achieved the status of the No. 1 cable news morning show for the 59th consecutive month, outperforming CBS Mornings, ABC’s Good Morning America, and NBC’s Today show across various markets.
Daytime and Weekend Success
Programs like “America’s Newsroom” with Bill Hemmer and Dana Perino, “The Faulkner Focus,” and “Outnumbered” have propelled Fox News’s daytime lineup to outclass both MS NOW and CNN. Moreover, Fox’s daytime offerings have surpassed ABC’s “GMA3,” NBC’s “Today with Jenna & Sheinelle,” and NBC News Daily.
Weekend Viewership Triumphs
During weekends, Fox News consistently outperformed both CNN and MS NOW during every hour. Programs like “Saturday in America” with Kayleigh McEnany attracted an average of 2.4 million viewers, making it the most-watched show on Saturdays. Likewise, “Sunday Morning Futures” captured the Sunday audience with 1.8 million viewers.
Impact of Nielsen Data
The data presented originates from Nielsen Big Data + Panel, and it underlines the impactful presence that Fox News has established within the competitive landscape of cable news.
Looking Ahead
As Fox News appreciates this milestone, the network continues to commit to providing timely information, essential perspectives, and engaging content to its viewers. With a firm grasp on audience preferences and a solid understanding of the current media landscape, Fox News is poised to maintain its leadership position in the years to come.
