FNC Adds More Viewers YOY Than Any Other Cable News Network

FOX News Channel (FNC) finished the month of May as the highest-rated cable news network, sweeping CNN and MSNBC in all categories during the month of former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial.

 

Notably, FNC claimed nearly every cable news telecast in the top 100, occupying the top 97 shows in the 25-54 demo and 94 shows among total viewers, while CNN netted zero. Throughout the month, FNC posted double-digit increases versus last year as the competition managed to lose younger viewership despite the intense news cycle. 

In fact, FNC added more viewers year-over-year than any other cable news network, solidifying its place as the go-to destination for breaking news. 

As FNC nearly quadrupled CNN, the network hit a new low, marking the lowest-rated month in primetime younger viewership dating back to 1991. 

Reaching 40 months as the number one channel in primetime and 39 months as the most watched in total day, FNC was the largest audience in all of cable television in total day viewers and third largest in 25-54 demo, finishing behind only sports driven TNT and ESPN. Additionally, FNC occupied its largest share of audience in cable news since March 2023, with more than half or nearly half of the genre’s consumers tuning into the network during primetime in viewers, 25-54 and 18-49 viewers. While remaining the home to the most politically diverse audience with more Democrats and Independents watching FNC than CNN and MSNBC, FNC continued as the number one cable news destination for Hispanic 25-54 demo viewers in primetime.

In Total Day:  FNC delivered 1.3 million viewers and 147,000 in 25-54 demo, beating CNN by 176% and MSNBC by 58% with total viewers. During primetime (7-11 PM/ET), FNC averaged 2 million viewers and 190,000 in 25-54 demo, garnering a 267% advantage over CNN and 77% advantage over MSNBC with total viewers. 

Notably, FNC posted double-digit growth in every category versus same time last year and showed the largest increases among the competition. FNC was up 32% in primetime viewers and 37% in the 25-54 demo, while CNN and MSNBC were both down in the 25-54 demo, losing 14% and 9% of their younger audience, respectively. In total day, FNC was also the only network to see growth in both categories, up double digits (+19% P2+ and 18% A25-54) while CNN and MSNBC both lost younger 25-54 viewership.

Throughout the hush money trial of former President Donald Trump in New York City, FNC has attracted the highest viewership in every category. Beginning on April 15th through May 26th, FNC’s total viewership drew 1.3 million viewers and 149,000 in the 25-54 demo, crushing CNN and MSNBC again by double digit percentages. In comparison to the prior month, FNC was the only network to post growth versus April 2024 in total viewers, while CNN and MSNBC both lost viewers in both categories. In primetime, CNN and MSNBC also lost viewership with CNN shedding 16% of its total viewership and 15% in 25-54 demo, while MSNBC was also down in both categories.

FNC’s The Five finished yet another month at number one in viewers with 3.1 million viewers and 266,000 in A25-54. At 10 PM/ET, Gutfeld! drew the largest audience in cable news in both 25-54 (278,000) and 18-49 younger demos (157,000). Host Greg Gutfeld continued his reign as late-night television’s most-watched host with 2.2 million viewers, outpacing CBS’ The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!, NBC’s The Tonight Show, Late Night with Seth Meyers and CBS’ After Midnight with total viewership. Gutfeld! has continued to crush The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, topping Stewart this month across the board in viewers, 25-54 and 18-49 demos. This month, Gutfeld! notched its most watched weekday telecast in its history on May 20th with 2.9 million viewers and marked his highest-rated month of the year.

FNC’s premier news program Special Report with Bret Baier drew May’s largest cable news audience at 6 PM/ET, averaging 2.1 million viewers and 196,000 in 25-54 demo. Kicking off primetime at 7 PM/ET, The Ingraham Angle beat the cable news competition across the board with 2.2 million viewers and 198,000 in A25-54. Jesse Watters Primetime, the fastest growing cable news program in primetime viewers, finished the month as the second most-watched program in cable news. Watters dominated the 8 PM/ET hour across the board and notched 2.7 million viewers and 241,000 in the 25-54 demo. At 9 PM/ET, cable news’ longest-running host Sean Hannity and his eponymous program Hannity held the third largest audience with 2.3 million viewers and 236,000 in 25-54 demo. FOX News @ Night with anchor Trace Gallagher was the 11 PM/ET hour’s highest-rated news program, averaging 1.2 million viewers and 181,000 in 25-54 demo.

From 5-6 AM/ET, more viewers in America woke up with FNC than any other network as FOX & Friends FIRST swept the hour with 559,000 viewers and 84,000 in 25-54 demo. FNC’s signature morning program FOX & Friends with co-hosts Steve Doocy, Ainsley Earhardt, Lawrence Jones and Brian Kilmeade, marked 39 consecutive months as cable news’ highest-rated program with 25-54 demo from 6-9 AM/ET, with 1.2 million viewers and 146,000 in 25-54 demo.

FNC’s powerhouse morning news program America’s Newsroom with Bill Hemmer and Dana Perino dominated the competition in viewers and the younger demo, garnering 1.6 million viewers and 175,000 in 25-54 demo. At 11 AM/ET, Harris Faulkner topped the hour with The Faulkner Focus, averaging 1.6 million viewers and 184,000 in 25-54 demo. FNC’s hit afternoon ensemble program Outnumbered with co-hosts Faulkner, Emily Compagno and Kayleigh McEnany outpaced the cable news competition with 1.7 million viewers and 197,000 in 25-54 demo and topped several broadcast programs, including NBC’s Hoda & Jenna, ABC’s GMA3, CBS’s The Talk, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Drew Barrymore and NBC News Daily. At 3 PM/ET, The Story with Martha MacCallum was the highest-rated program with 1.6 million viewers and 161,000 in 25-54 demo while Your World with Neil Cavuto, weekdays at 4 PMET also averaged 1.6 million viewers and 164,000 in 25-54 demo. Both programs reached yearly highs for the month of May.

FNC’s ratings dominance on the weekends continued throughout May as the network beat CNN and MSNBC in total day and primetime on Saturdays and Sundays, topping the competition every weekend hour in viewers.

MAY 2024 RATINGS FOR THE TOP FIVE PROGRAMS IN CABLE NEWS:

• Total Viewers: The Five (3,083,000), Jesse Watters Primetime (2,665,000), Hannity (2,347,000), Gutfeld! (2,245,000), The Ingraham Angle (2,169,000),
• Adults 25-54: Gutfeld! (278,000), The Five (266,000), Jesse Watters Primetime (241,000), Hannity (236,000), The Ingraham Angle (198,000)

Source: Nielsen. Live+SD. May 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.