FNC Notches 200 Back-to-Back Months as the Most Watched Cable News Network in Primetime and Total Day
‘Hannity’ Marks Five Consecutive Months As the Number One Cable News Program
FOX News Channel (FNC) notched a major milestone during the month of August, marking 200 consecutive months as the most watched cable news network in both primetime and total day in total viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research. Additionally, in total day, FNC achieved 26 back-to-back months as the top rated basic cable network in total viewers, delivering 1.3 million. FNC’s 9PM/ET primetime program Hannity was also the number one cable news program for the fifth consecutive month in both total viewers and the 25-54 demographic.
Throughout total day and primetime, FNC continued to outpace CNN and MSNBC with P2+, Adults 25-54 and Adults 18-34. In primetime, FNC averaged 2,299,000 in total viewers, besting CNN’s 1,052,000 and MSNBC’s 1,845,000. In Adults 25-54, FNC garnered 422,000, topping CNN’s 346,000 and MSNBC’s 340,000. In total day, FNC averaged 1,299,000 in total viewers, trouncing CNN’s 705,000 and MSNBC’s 1,040,000. In the 25-54 demo, FNC averaged 252,000 ranking ahead of CNN with 209,000 and MSNBC with 194,000. Additionally, FNC led all of cable news in primetime and total day in the younger 18-34 demo, averaging 64,000 and 36,000 viewers, respectively.
In addition, the network also claimed 12 of the top 20 cable news programs in total viewers and boasted nine of the top 20 cable news programs in the 25-54 demo. FNC’s primetime programs Hannity, Tucker Carlson Tonight, and The Ingraham Angle were among the top five programs in both total viewers and in the 25-54 demographic.
Kicking off FNC’s daytime programming, the 4AM/ET hour of FOX & Friends First garnered 479,000 in total viewers and 109,000 with A25-54. The 5AM/ET hour of FOX & Friends First had a total of 626,000 in total viewers and 142,000 in the 25-54 demo. Continuing to make cable news history, FNC’s signature morning show FOX & Friends marked 202 months as the number one cable news program in its timeslot with an average of 1.4 million in total viewers and 294,000 in the 25-54 demo. At 9AM/ET, America’s Newsroom delivered 1.4 million in total viewers and 255,000 with A25-54. FNC’s afternoon ensemble program at 12PM/ET, Outnumbered, garnered 1.4 million in total viewers and 235,000 in the 25-54 category. Outnumbered Overtime anchored by Harris Faulkner delivered 1.3 million in total viewers and 229,000 in the demo while The Daily Briefing with Dana Perino averaged 1.3 million in total viewers and 229,000 with A25-54. During the 3PM/ET hour, FNC’s Shepard Smith Reporting averaged 1.2 million in total viewers and 222,000 in the demo. Your World with Neil Cavuto at 4PM/ET delivered 1.3 million in total viewers and 238,000 with A25-54.
During FNC’s early evening and primetime programming, The Five garnered 2.2 million in total viewers and 393,000 in the demo. Anchored by chief political anchor Bret Baier at 6PM/ET, Special Report averaged 2 million in total viewers and 378,000 in the 25-54 demo. The Story with Martha MacCallum at 7PM/ET reported 1.9 million in total viewers and 370,000 with A25-54.
At 8PM/ET, Tucker Carlson Tonight delivered 2.6 million in total viewers and 483,000 in the demo. Hannity was the most-watched cable news program for the fifth consecutive month, with 3.1 million in total viewers and 582,000 in the 25-54 demo. The Ingraham Angle, hosted by Laura Ingraham, averaged 2.5 million in total viewers and 466,000 in the demo. FOX News @ Night with Shannon Bream garnered 1.4 million in total viewers and 303,000 with A25-54.
During the weekends, Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo averaged 1.3 million in total viewers and 233,000 in the demo on Sundays at 10AM/ET. MediaBuzz hosted by Howie Kurtz delivered 1.2 million in total viewers and 210,000 in the 25-54 demo, propelling him to the lead spot on Sundays at 11AM/ET.
RATINGS FOR THE TOP FIVE PROGRAMS IN CABLE NEWS FOR AUGUST 2018:
Total Viewers: Hannity (3,079,000), Rachel Maddow Show (2,882,000), Tucker Carlson Tonight (2,552,000), The Ingraham Angle (2,461,000), Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell (2,229,000)
Adults 25-54: Hannity (582,000), Rachel Maddow Show (557,000), Tucker Carlson Tonight (483,000), The Ingraham Angle (466,000), Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell (398,000)
AUGUST 2018 VS. AUGUST 2017 NIELSEN NUMBERS (7-day week, L+SD):
TOTAL DAY:
FNC: 1,299,000 total viewers – down 4% (252,000 in 25-54 – down 17%)
CNN: 705,000 total viewers – down 15% (209,000 in 25-54 – down 24%)
MSNBC: 1,040,000 total viewers – up 4% (194,000 in 25-54 – down 16%)
PRIMETIME: 8-11PM/ET
FNC: 2,299,000 total viewers – up 4% (422,000 in 25-54 – down 9%)
CNN: 1,052,000 total viewers – down 12% (346,000 in 25-54 – down 17%)
MSNBC: 1,845,000 total viewers – up 1% (340,000 in 25-54 – down 17%)
FOX News Channel (FNC) is a 24-hour all-encompassing news service delivering breaking news as well as political and business news. The number one network in cable, FNC has been the most watched television news channel for more than 16 years. According to a 2018 Research Intelligencer study by Brand Keys, FOX News ranks as the second most trusted television brand in the country. Additionally, a Suffolk University/USA Today survey states Fox News is the most trusted source for television news or commentary in the country, while a 2017 Gallup/Knight Foundation survey found that among Americans who could name an objective news source, Fox News is the top-cited outlet. Owned by 21st Century Fox, FNC is available in 90 million homes and dominates the cable news landscape, routinely notching the top ten programs in the genre.
