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Fox News Channel Claims Top Ratings in Cable News Since Election Day
Fox News Channel solidifies its position as the leader in cable news by accounting for all of the top 1,000 telecasts since last November’s Election Day. The network’s dominance in viewer engagement continues to shape the landscape of political reporting.
Since the pivotal day of the elections, Fox News has secured the highest viewer ratings with an impressive total of 1,013 cable telecasts topping the charts.
Notable Coverage Highlights
A significant moment in Fox’s ratings came during President Donald Trump’s inauguration in January, where the network recorded a remarkable 11.7 million viewers for the swearing-in ceremony. This event marked the highest-rated hour of the year so far, showcasing the network’s ability to capture audience attention during critical news events.
In contrast, MSNBC’s popular program, “The Rachel Maddow Show,” lagged far behind in audience numbers, landing at 1,104th place for a March 24 episode that attracted just 2.4 million viewers. Following a brief hiatus, Maddow has resumed airing her show only on Mondays, shifting from a five-night broadcast format immediately after the inauguration.
Fox News’s Remarkable Viewer Statistics
Fox’s total viewership since Election Day is striking, with the network achieving a total day cable news share of 65 percent, while its primetime share stands at 66 percent. In comparison, CNN captured a mere 14 percent of total day viewers and 12 percent during primetime. Meanwhile, MSNBC followed closely with 20 percent and 22 percent respectively.
The statistics reveal that Fox News has consistently averaged 1.8 million viewers across the total day and 224,000 in the coveted 25-54 demographic. During primetime, these numbers rise to an average of 2.7 million viewers and 335,000 within the same demographic.
April’s Ratings and Competition Insights
In what is reported as the highest-rated first 100 days in cable news history, Fox boasted an astonishing April, reflecting an average of 1.6 million viewers during the week of April 28 to May 4, alongside 180,000 viewers in the 25-54 demographic. During primetime, the network attracted an average of 2.5 million viewers and 256,000 in the 25-54 demographic.
Looking at weekday primetime averages, Fox News outperformed its closest rival, NBC, drawing 2.9 million viewers compared to NBC’s 2.5 million. Conversely, CNN faced challenges, recording its worst week of the year, capturing only 365,000 viewers in total day and a disappointing 81,000 in the 25-54 demographic during primetime.
Other Networks Struggle with Viewer Retention
CBS has been facing its share of difficulties too. The network is currently embroiled in a $20 billion lawsuit from Trump due to a controversial segment aired on “60 Minutes” last year. This legal battle seems to impact their ratings negatively, with the “CBS Evening News” registering its lowest ratings ever at just 3.6 million viewers and 482,000 in the 25-54 demographic.
Fox News Stars Delivering High Ratings
Fox’s flagship program, “The Five,” topped cable news with a viewer base of 3.7 million and an impressive 366,000 in the 25-54 demographic. Furthermore, “Jesse Watters Primetime” generated significant interest, attracting 3.3 million viewers, followed closely by “Special Report” with 2.8 million viewers and 311,000 in the demo. Not to be overlooked, “The Ingraham Angle” and “Hannity” also demonstrated strong performances, receiving 2.7 million and 2.6 million viewers respectively.
In late night programming, Fox’s “Gutfeld!” triumphed as it gathered 2.8 million viewers and 298,000 in the demo, surpassing traditional late-night competitors such as “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” on CBS and “Jimmy Fallon” on NBC.
Fox’s Daytime Programming Success
Fox News’s daytime lineup has also sustained high ratings, with programs like “The Will Cain Show” attracting 2 million viewers, followed closely by “Outnumbered” with nearly 2 million. Other noteworthy shows included “America’s Newsroom” at 1.9 million, “The Faulkner Focus” and “The Story with Martha MacCallum,” each drawing about 1.8 million viewers.
Notably, during the weekends, “My View With Lara Trump” emerged as the standout show, enjoying 1.6 million viewers with an exclusive interview featuring Elon Musk. Following closely were “FOX & Friends Weekend” with 1.5 million viewers and other programs that maintained competitive viewer engagement.
Top Contenders in Weekend Ratings
On Sundays, Maria Bartiromo’s show, “Sunday Morning Futures,” emerged as the top-rated program with 1.6 million viewers, while “Sunday Night in America with Trey Gowdy” claimed the primetime audience with 1.5 million viewers. Moreover, programs like “The Big Weekend Show” and “One Nation with Brian Kilmeade” made commendable ratings, experiencing significant viewer retention.
In the demographic analysis, “FOX & Friends Weekend” outperformed its competition, leading with 148,000 viewers within the coveted 25-54 demographic.
Looking Forward
The recent ratings clearly illustrate Fox News Channel’s steadfast dominance in cable news. Its ability to engage audiences consistently with high-profile programming and timely news coverage ensures that it remains a crucial player in the media landscape. As political events continue to unfold, Fox appears well-positioned to maintain or even expand its viewership in the ongoing competitive cable news arena.
