FOX News Channel (FNC) finished the week of December 8 as the most-watched cable network across total day for the 49th consecutive week, according to Nielsen Big Data + Panel. In Monday - Sunday primetime FNC nabbed over 2 million viewers and throughout total day (6 AM-6 AM/ET), FNC posted 1.3 million viewers.
For the week, FNC commanded 57% of the cable news share in primetime and 56% throughout total day.
The Five averaged 3.3 million viewers and 241,000 in the 25-54 demo, leading cable news with viewers. At 6 PM/ET, Special Report with Bret Baier drew 2.4 million viewers and 200,000 in the 25-54 demo. The Ingraham Angle saw 2.2 million viewers and 190,000 in the 25-54 demo at 7 PM/ET. Jesse Watters Primetime commanded 2.6 million viewers and 221,000 in the 25-54 demo at 8 PM/ET. At 9 PM/ET, Hannity posted 2.1 million viewers, while at 11 PM/ET, FOX News @ Night with Trace Gallagher secured 1.2 million viewers.
FNC’s late-night hit Gutfeld! (weekdays, 10 PM/ET) averaged 2.4 million viewers and 260,000 in the 25-54 demo continuing to outpace the broadcast competition including CBS’ The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2.1 million viewers), ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! (1.9 million viewers).FNC continued to see its daytime programs outpace the broadcast competition.
The Will Cain Show (weekdays, 4 PM/ET; 1.8 million viewers), The Story (weekdays, 3 PM/ET; 1.6 million viewers) The Faulkner Focus (weekdays, 11 AM/ET; 1.5 million viewers), America’s Newsroom (weekdays, 9-11 AM/ET; 1.5 million viewers), Outnumbered (weekdays, 12 PM/ET; 1.5 million viewers) and America Reports (weekdays, 1-3 PM/ET; 1.4 million viewers) all led ABC’s GMA3 (1.3 million viewers), NBC News Daily (1.3 million viewers) and NBC’s Today with Jenna and Friends (1.2 million viewers).
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| Ratings Graphics Courtesy of RoadMN |
On Saturday: Kayleigh McEnany’s Saturday in America (Saturday, 10 AM - 12 PM/ET) was the most-watched cable news show of the day with over 1.3 million viewers. The Big Weekend Show (weekends, 5-8 PM/ET) followed with just under 1.3 million viewers. In primetime, FOX News Saturday Night (Saturday, 10 PM/ET) was the top cable news show with 1.2 million viewers.
On Sunday: Maria Bartiromo’s Sunday Morning Futures (Sunday, 10 AM/ET) was the number one cable news show of the weekend with 1.8 million viewers. In primetime, Sunday Night in America with Trey Gowdy (Sunday, 9 PM/ET) led the way with 1 million viewers. The Sunday Briefing (Sunday, 11 AM/ET) hosted by Peter Doocy drew over 1.4 million viewers.
Source: Nielsen. Big Data + Panel. Week of 12-8-25 ratings data. Average audience for cable news networks Monday-Sunday based on Total Day and Prime (6a-6a, 8P-11P), P2+, P25-54. Cable News/Broadcast Program averages exclude repeats and include the corresponding program name.
Source: Nielsen. Big Data + Panel. Week of 12-8-25 ratings data. Average audience for cable news networks Monday-Sunday based on Total Day and Prime (6a-6a, 8P-11P), P2+, P25-54. Cable News/Broadcast Program averages exclude repeats and include the corresponding program name.
📺BROADCAST EVENING NEWS
ABC World News Tonight with David Muir:
- Averaged 7.867 million total viewers and 1 million viewers in the Adults 25-54 demographic.
- It was the most-watched evening newscast in both categories, though down 5% in total viewers and 6% in the demo from the previous week.
- Averaged 6.432 million total viewers and 854,000 viewers in the Adults 25-54 demographic.
- Ranked second in both categories.
- Averaged 4.152 million total viewers and 528,000 viewers in the Adults 25-54 demographic.
- Down 5% in both metrics from the previous week.
All three broadcasts saw week-to-week declines in total viewers and the key demo. ABC maintained its long-term lead, marking its 10th year as the top-rated evening newscast in total viewers.
📺BROADCAST MORNING SHOWS
- Averaged 2.850 million total viewers and 462,000 viewers in the Adults 25-54 demographic.
- Ranked No. 1 in total viewers (by a narrow margin of about 50,000 viewers over Today), but down slightly week-to-week.
- Averaged approximately 2.800 million total viewers and led with the highest in the Adults 25-54 demographic (gaining +11% in the demo week-to-week).
- Ranked No. 1 in the key demo and was the only show to post gains in that category.
- Averaged 1.964 million total viewers and 307,000 viewers in the Adults 25-54 demographic.
- Ranked third, with declines of -5% in total viewers and -15% in the demo from the previous week.
Good Morning America held onto the top spot in total viewers for the second consecutive week, while Today dominated the key demographic. All shows saw typical seasonal fluctuations.
📺TV PRIMETIME SHOWS
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- ABC featured holiday programming and unscripted content.
- NBC benefited from strong Sunday Night Football viewership.
- Cable highlights included strong performances from Fox News Channel in primetime, often outdrawing broadcast entertainment programming outside of sports, alongside Hallmark holiday movies and ESPN sports.
Key insights from available sources:
- Broadcast networks saw seasonal fluctuations with holiday reruns and specials mixed into schedules.
- No major NFL games appear to have aired during this specific week that cracked ultra-high viewership (unlike prior weeks with 20M+ games).