Axios Says FOX News Has Gone Mainstream

For nearly three decades, Fox News has been the country's top news network for mostly white conservatives. But over the past few years, the cable giant's audience profile has seen a notable shift, attracting Democrats, independents and Hispanics in droves, according to Sara Fischer writing for Axios.  According to Fischer:

Why it matters: President-elect Trump's decisive election victory was propelled by an undeniable shift right across nearly every state in the country. Fox News' audience has broadened as a result of that trend, and Democrats want to take advantage of it.

By the numbers: In the 2020 presidential race, only six Democrats appeared on Fox News' air during the Democratic National Convention, according to network data provided to Axios. In 2024, that number increased to 47 appearances. In each of the past three elections, the number of appearances by Democrats on Fox News during the general election has increased substantially.

Democrats made 20 appearances on Fox News during the 2016 general election. That number more than doubled to 53 in 2020 and more than quintupled to 108 in 2024, per Fox News.

Zoom out: Fox News has been the undisputed leader in cable news ratings for years, but its margins have widened significantly since Nov. 5.Fox News commanded 72% of cable news viewership in the wake of the election, following significant audience declines at MSNBC and CNN.

While cable news networks typically see audience declines in the month following the election, Fox News' prime-time audience grew.

The big picture: Fox News has made a concerted effort to court Democrats and independents, its star anchor Bret Baier told Axios last year."I think if you build it, they will come. And independents, Democrats are coming to our shows more and more," he said.

Citing data from Nielsen MRI Fusion, the network said it reached more independents and Democrats in the coveted 25- to 54-year-old advertising demographic than any other cable news network in 2024.

What to watch: The network has made strides with Hispanic audiences as that population shifts right politically.The network reached more Hispanic viewers last year than its cable news rivals, Fox News said last year, citing the same Nielsen MRI Fusion research.

Fox News Media unveiled a new Spanish-language news show and a Spanish-language version of its website last year.