FOX News Channel Again Most-Watched Basic Cable Network

FOX News Channel (FNC) marked its second consecutive year as the most-watched basic cable network in primetime and total day in total viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research, averaging 2.4 million viewers in primetime and 1.5 million viewers in total day.

FNC also notched its highest-rated year in network history on a 24-hour basis in total viewers and led the way in primetime with both total viewers and the Adults 25-54 demographic.

In commenting on the network’s record ratings, FNC’s President of Programming Suzanne Scott said, “Throughout this past year, FOX News has continued to prove its dominance in the television landscape despite many changes and one of the most intense news years on record. For a news channel to experience growth following an election year is unprecedented and we are grateful to our loyal viewers for once again making us the most-watched network in all of cable.”

In primetime and total day, FNC made gains and/or was flat in both total viewers and A25-54 versus the 2016 election year, which was the network’s highest-rated year in history. In primetime, FNC delivered 2,422,000 viewers (flat vs. 2016) and 488,000 with Adults 25-54 (+1%). In total day, FNC notched another milestone victory with 1,501,000 in total viewers (+8% from last year). In the key 25-54 demo, FNC remained on top in cable news with 321,000 (+15%). Additionally, in cable news, FNC secured 15 of the top 20 programs in total viewers with 12 of the top 20 programs with A25-54. Furthermore, FNC’s The Five, Tucker Carlson Tonight and Hannity claimed three of the top five programs in the younger 18-49 demographic. *See below for the Nielsen ratings and year-to-year growth for each network.

For the year, every daytime hour on FOX News Channel was up in P2+ and A25-54 vs. the 2016 election year with each program outpacing the cable news competition during their respective hours in both total viewers and the key 25-54 demographic. FNC’s signature morning program FOX & Friends is having its highest-rated year in network history with P2+ (1,593,000 total viewers; up 25%). The debut year of Outnumbered Overtime w/ Harris Faulkner (1,589,000 P2+ (+15%) 333,000 A25-54 (+32%)) and The Daily Briefing with Dana Perino (1,560,000 P2+ (+15%) 316,000 A25-54 (+34%)) brought double-digit increases to the 1PM and 2PM/ET hours on the channel, respectively.

Kicking off FNC’s evening programming at 5PM/ET, FNC’s The Five averaged 2.7 million total viewers and 475,000 in A25-54. At 6PM/ET, the network’s political news program Special Report with Bret Baier averaged 2.4 million total viewers and 444,000 in the A25-54 and at 7PM/ET, The Story with Martha MacCallum delivered 2.1 million total viewers and 413,000 in A25-54. In primetime, for the first time in network history, Hannity topped all of cable news with 3.2 million viewers (+17%) and 661,000 in A25-54 (+28%). Tucker Carlson Tonight at 8PM/ET, was the second-most watched program for the year in total viewers with 2.7 million viewers and averaged 540,000 with A25-54. At 10PM/ET, The Ingraham Angle ranked fifth in total viewers with 2.5 million and fourth with A25-54 averaging 491,000.

Top Five Networks in Primetime in All of Television for 2017

CBS: 6.3 million viewers
NBC: 6 million viewers
ABC: 4.6 million viewers
FOX: 3.5 million viewers
FNC: 2.4 million viewers

Nielsen Cable News Ratings for 2017 (12/26/16-12/10/17) vs. 2016 (12/28/15-12/25/16)

Primetime:

FNC: 2,422,000 P2+ (flat); 488,000 A25-54 (up 1%)
CNN: 1,060,000 P2+ (down 15%); 370,000 A25-54 (down 13%)
MSNBC: 1,624,000 P2+ (up 50%); 370,000 A25-54 (up 37%)

Total Day:

FNC: 1,501,000 P2+ (up 8%); 321,000 A25-54 (up 15%)
CNN: 783,000 P2+ (up 4%); 257,000 A25-54 (up 11%)
MSNBC: 885,000 P2+ (up 47%); 203,000 A25-54 (up 33%)

In addition to its record breaking ratings year, FNC also dominated social media, ranking as the top news brand in total social engagement in the world for 2017, according to Sharablee. FNC was also the top-tweeted news outlet for the year according to Twitter and Socialbakers found that the network was the most engaging media brand on that platform. During November 2017, the network was also the most engaging brand on Facebook, according to NewsWhip.

FOX News Digital, according to comScore, had its most successful year ever across major metrics. From January 2017 to November of 2017, FOX News Digital saw a 29% increase in average monthly unique visitors, a 54% increase in video views, and a 17% increase in page views year-over-year. October 2017 was a record month for FOX News Digital, with over 96 million unique visitors per comScore.