Fox News Channel Tops ABC, CBS, All Cable News During 3Q

• The Five Continues to Break Television Records as it Marks 12 Consecutive Quarters as Cable News’ Highest-Rated Program
• Hannity Tops Cable News with 25-54 Demo and Remains 9 PM/ET’s Most-Watched Host
• Jesse Watters Primetime is Most Watched in Cable News During Primetime
• Gutfeld! Delivers Largest Audience in Program History During Third Quarter, Continues Reign as Number One Show in Late-Night Television

FOX News Channel (FNC) delivered its second highest-rated third quarter in history as it topped broadcast networks ABC and CBS and all of cable in viewers, marking 91 consecutive quarters as the most-watched cable news channel in primetime during the third quarter of 2024, according to Nielsen Media Research. 

FNC posted the most growth in cable news versus the third quarter of 2023 and retained the largest share of the cable news audience with 52% of viewers in total day and 53% in primetime. This quarter was the network’s highest level of share since the first quarter of 2023 as it delivered 70 of the top 100 telecasts in cable news and marked 14 straight quarters as the most watched in total day viewers.

In total day, FNC averaged 1,571,000 viewers (+43%) and 215,000 (+64%) in the 25-54 demo and during primetime from 7- 11 PM/ET, delivered 2,641,000 viewers (+55%) and 347,000 in 25-54 demo (93%). Additionally, from 8- 11 PM/ET (M-F) FNC outpaced ABC and CBS for the third quarter with viewers. Additionally, more Independents and Democrats continued to tune in to FNC over any other network, according to data from Nielsen MRI Fusion and the network was number one among Hispanic and Asian viewers.

FNC was the highest-rated network in all of cable news in total day and primetime during the month of September, marking 43 months on top in cable news as well as in all of cable for total day. Additionally, FNC is the only cable news network to post month to month increases across the board in total day and primetime. In total day, FNC averaged 1,433,000 viewers increasing year to year (+34%) and 194,000 (+48%) in 25-54. In primetime, FNC garnered 2.5 million viewers (+48%) and 324,000 in 25-54 (+73%). Additionally, FNC notched 89 of the top 100 cable news telecasts for the month of September.

For the third quarter of 2024, more viewers turned to FNC than any other cable news network for historic political news, including the ABC presidential debate simulcast, Republican and Democratic National Conventions, the assassination attempts against former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden dropping out of the 2024 presidential election. 

FOX News Media’s simulcast of ABC’s presidential debate between Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump garnered 14.2 million viewers, topping NBC, CBS and cable news on September 10th. 

The network also made history as it delivered the highest-rated primetime convention coverage of all time during the RNC with 10.4 million viewers and 2 million in 25-54 from 10-11 PM/ET. FNC’s live breaking news coverage of the attempted assassination of former President Trump (7-13-24) was its highest-rated weekend ever delivering 6.9 million viewers and 1.4 million in the 25-54 demo. Later in the month, the network also led during breaking news coverage of President Joe Biden’s decision to end his reelection campaign with 2.1 million viewers and 336,000 in 25-54.

For the third quarter of 2024, FNC delivered the top 12 programs in viewers and the top 13 in the 25-54 and 18-49 demos as each program posted increases versus the third quarter of 2023. At 5 PM/ET, FNC’s The Five continued to make cable news history as the first non-primetime program to be the most watched in viewers for 12 consecutive quarters, delivering 3.5 million viewers and 359,000 in 25-54 demon and notching the largest audience in the genre. FNC’s Hannity finished 3Q ‘24 as the highest-rated program in the 25-54 demo as it continued to dominate the 9 PM/ET hour with 3,232,000 viewers and 457,000 in 25-54.

FNC’s premier newscast Special Report with Bret Baier at 6 PM/ET garnered the largest audience in its timeslot with 2.5 million viewers and 284,000 in A25-54. At 7 PM/ET, The Ingraham Angle topped the competition with 2.7 million viewers and 324,000 in 25-54. Jesse Watters Primetime was cable news’ highest-rated program at 8 PM/ET across the board with 3.5 million viewers and 430,000 in 25-54.

Late-night’s highest-rated program, Gutfeld! continued its record-breaking year as it delivered its highest-rated quarter in program history with 2.8 million viewers and 413,000 in 25-54 during the 10 PM/ET hour. In addition to the cable news competition, Gutfeld! outpaces all broadcast and late-night television, including CBS’ The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!, NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Late Night with Seth Meyers, CBS’ After Midnight and Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. On September 18th, Gutfeld! delivered its highest-rated telecast in program history, averaging 4.9 million viewers and 744,000 in 25-54 demo. The program featured former President Donald Trump’s first late-night appearance since a 2016 interview with Fallon. According to Nielsen MRI Fusion, Gutfeld! also attracts more Independents and Democrats than the competition. At 11 PM/ET, FOX News @ Night was the most-watched program in its timeslot with 1.5 million viewers and 255,000 in 25-54.

At 9 AM/ET, America’s Newsroom with Dana Perino and Bill Hemmer dominated its timeslot with 1.8 million viewers and 221,000 in the 25-54 demo. The Faulkner Focus helmed by Harris Faulkner drew the largest audience in its hour with 1.8 million viewers and 224,000 in 25-54 while ensemble program Outnumbered also topped cable news at 12 PM/ET with nearly two million viewers and 238,000 in 25-54. Outnumbered outpaced numerous broadcast programs including NBC’s TODAY Third Hour, TODAY with Hoda & Jenna, The Kelly Clarkson Show, ABC’s GMA3, CBS’ The Talk and The Drew Barrymore Show as well as NBC News Daily. From 1-3 PM/ET, America Reports with John Roberts and Sandra Smith was the most-watched program with 1.8 million viewers and 231,000 in 25-54. The Story with Martha MacCallum drew the largest cable news audience at 3 PM/ET, averaging 1.9 million viewers and 241,000 in 25-54. At 4 PM/ET, Your World with Neil Cavuto was the highest-rated program in its timeslot across the board with 1.8 million viewers and 225,000 in 25-54.

FNC also continued to excel against the competition throughout the weekend for the quarter, outpacing CNN and MSNBC across both total day and primetime with viewers and winning every hour with total viewers.

📺3Q’24 NIELSEN NUMBERS VS. 3Q’23 (Monday-Sunday):

TOTAL DAY

• FNC: 1,571,000 total viewers (215,000 in 25-54) up 43% P2+ and up 64% A25-54
• CNN: 557,000 total viewers (110,000 in 25-54) up 18% P2+ and up 25% A25-54
• MSNBC: 889,000 total viewers (100,000 in 25-54) up 9% P2+ and up 14% A25-54

PRIMETIME (7-11P)

• FNC: 2,641,000 total viewers (347,000 in 25-54) up 55% P2+ and up 93% A25-54
• CNN: 896,000 total viewers (196,000 in 25-54) up 47% P2+ and up 63% A25-54
• MSNBC: 1,439,000 total viewers (174,000 in 25-54) up 18% P2+ and up 39% A25-54

PRIMETIME (8-11p) M-F

• FNC: 3,089,000 in total viewers (422,000 in A25-54)
• ABC: 2,834,000 in total viewers (668,000 in A25-54)
• CBS: 2,280,000 in total viewers (449,000 in A25-54)

📺3Q’24 RATINGS FOR THE TOP FIVE PROGRAMS IN CABLE NEWS:

• Total Viewers: The Five (3,466,000), Jesse Watters Primetime (3,450,000), Hannity (3,232,000), Gutfeld! (2,776,000), The Ingraham Angle (2,692,000),
• Adults 25-54: Hannity (457,000), Jesse Watters Primetime (430,000), Gutfeld! (413,000), The Five (359,000), The Ingraham Angle (324,000)

📺SEPTEMBER 2024 RATINGS FOR THE TOP 5 IN CABLE NEWS:

• Total Viewers: The Five (3,336,000), Jesse Watters Primetime (3,074,000), Gutfeld! (2,798,000), Hannity (2,742,000), The Ingraham Angle (2,389,000)
• Adults 25-54: Gutfeld! (403,000), Jesse Watters Primetime (362,000), Hannity (358,000), The Five (351,000), The Ingraham Angle (277,000)

Source: Nielsen. Live+SD. 3Q’24 quarterly and September 2024 monthly ratings data. Average audience for cable news networks M-Sunday based on Total Day and Prime (6a-6a, 8P-11P, 7P-11P), P2+, P25-54, P18-49. Cable News/Broadcast Program averages exclude repeats/specials and include the corresponding program name. Includes only current Fox News lineup.