Fox News Channel Hits 90 Consecutive Quarters At Number One

FOX News Channel (FNC) finished the second quarter of 2024 as cable’s most-watched network in total day and primetime for 90 consecutive quarters according to Nielsen Media Research. 

FNC is the only network to show growth across the board versus 2023 while CNN and MSNBC both shed double-digits in the key 25-54 demo. For the second quarter in a row, CNN hit a 33-year low in total day, 18-49 and 25-54 demos, delivering its smallest younger audience since 1991. As FNC posted double-digit growth in total day and primetime, the network continued to topple CNN and MSNBC combined during both dayparts and was number one in all of cable total day viewers for 13 consecutive quarters. 

Through the second quarter of 2024, FNC delivered 89 of the top 100 telecasts in cable news, while CNN netted just three and MSNBC only had eight. In total day, FNC delivered 1,304,000 viewers, 154,000 with 25-54 demo and 96,000 with 18-49 demo, securing a 176% advantage over CNN viewers and 61% over MSNBC. In primetime from 7-11 PM, FNC saw 2,037,000 viewers, 214,000 in the 25-54 demo, and 135,000 with 18-49 demo, a whopping 230% lead over CNN and 77% over MSNBC. FNC continued to dominate the share of the cable news audience, capturing 50% of viewers across total day and 54% of prime viewers, the highest level of share for the network since 1Q’2023. Notably, more Independents 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 viewers.

During the month of June, FNC was number one in all of cable in total day and primetime viewership and furthered its dominance for the 40th consecutive month. FNC occupied more than half the audience share — 55% in primetime and 53% in total day — among total viewers and again was the only network to grow its audience across the board. In comparison to same time last year, FNC gained 52% of viewers in 8-11 PM primetime and 72% in the 25-54 demo, while MSNBC lost viewers in both categories, dropping 19% of its younger audience. Among total day, CNN and MSNBC also experienced steep declines, shedding viewers in both categories.

At 5 PM/ET, FNC’s The Five continued to shatter records by becoming the first non-primetime program ever to top all of cable news for 11 consecutive quarters. Notably, on Friday, June 28th the powerhouse program even managed to grow its audience by double-digits in both categories, delivering over 4 million viewers and 417,000 in the 25-54 demo for its roundtable debate reaction. Overall, for the quarter, The Five averaged above 3.1 million viewers and 270,000 in 25-54 demo, outpacing every program on CNN and MSNBC across the board. Following the hour, Special Report with Bret Baier (weeknights, 6 PM/ET) averaged 2.1 million viewers and 199,000 in 25-54 demo, easily dominating its timeslot.

Just ahead of his one-year anniversary in the 8 PM/ET timeslot, Jesse Watters Primetime was the number one show in all of primetime viewership. For the quarter, Watters delivered a whopping 2.7 million viewers and 260,000 in the 25-54 demo, crushing the hour and nearly doubling his closest competition. Notably, year-over-year, Watters grew the timeslot by 69% with total viewers and 65% with 25-54 viewers, establishing the program as the fastest growing program in all of cable news. Additionally, Watters saw his highest-rated month in June and year-over-year, gained 71% viewers and 78% in 25-54 demo to the key timeslot.

Gutfeld!, which is also approaching one year in its new hour, saw its highest quarter yet and garnered 2.3 million viewers and 295,000 in the 25-54 demo. For the second time in the program’s history, Gutfeld! led the quarter in younger viewers and notched double-digit increases in the timeslot (+26% P2+ and +38% A25-54.) Gutfeld! has remained the highest-rated late-night program in broadcast and cable television in viewers, topping 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 and CBS’ After Midnight with total viewership. Additionally, Gutfeld! outpaces Meyers in the younger 25-54 and 18-49 demos and has continued to trounce Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Jon Stewart in viewers and 25-54 demo despite Stewart’s much touted return to the program. For the quarter, Gutfeld more than quadrupled Stewart’s 500,000 viewers and more than doubled his 146,000 in the 25-54 demo. Gutfeld! is on track to have its most-watched year in program history.

FNC’s primetime lineup once again swept the competition every hour by double and triple percent advantages. At 7 PM/ET, FNC’s The Ingraham Angle finished the quarter averaging 2.1 million viewers and 201,000 in the 25-54 demo, topping the competition. FNC’s Hannity at 9 PM/ET remained dominant, nabbing 2.4 million viewers and 258,000 in the 25-54 demo, easily winning the timeslot and topping CNN and MSNBC in both categories. Closing the night at 11 PM/ET, FOX News @ Night surpassed the competition, delivering 1.3 million viewers and 187,000 in 25-54 demo.

From 5-6 AM/ET, FOX & Friends FIRST netted 550,000 viewers while FNC’s signature morning show FOX & Friends (weekdays, 6-9 AM/ET) finished the quarter with 1.1 million viewers and 150,000 in the demo, outpacing CNN This Morning and MSNBC’s Morning Joe across the board. The program has remained the number one cable news program in the mornings with both categories for more than three straight years and 40 consecutive months in 25-54 demo.

FNC’s daytime lineup, led by two-hour morning news program America’s Newsroom with Bill Hemmer and Dana Perino (weekdays, 9-11 AM/ET), saw 1.6 million viewers and 178,000 in the 25-54 demo. The Faulkner Focus at 11 AM/ET, anchored by Harris Faulkner, notched 1.6 million viewers and 186,000 in the 25-54 demo and bested CNN and MSNBC across the board. At 12 PM/ET, Outnumbered earned 1.7 million viewers and 195,000 in the demo, continuing to outperform NBC’s Today with Hoda and Jenna, NBC News Daily, GMA3, Kelly Clarkson Show and The Talk in total viewers. From 1-3 PM/ET, America Reports with John Roberts and Sandra Smith garnered 1.5 million viewers and 166,000 in the 25-54 demo. At 3 PM/ET, anchor Martha MacCallum’s The Story averaged 1.5 million viewers and 162,000 in the 25-54 demo, while Your World with Neil Cavuto at 4 PM/ET nabbed 1.6 million viewers and 171,000 in the 25-54 category for the quarter.


2Q’24 NIELSEN NUMBERS VS. 2Q’23 (Monday-Sunday, Live + Same Day):

TOTAL DAY

• FNC: 1,304,000 total viewers (154,000 in 25-54) up 12% P2+ and up 10% A25-54
• CNN: 473,000 total viewers (85,000 in 25-54) up 2% P2+ and down -11% A25-54
• MSNBC: 810,000 total viewers (83,000 in 25-54) up 2% P2+ and down -13% A25-54

PRIMETIME (7-11P)

• FNC: 2,037,000 total viewers (214,000 in 25-54) up 18% P2+ and up 21% A25-54
• CNN: 618,000 total viewers (120,000 in 25-54) up 5% P2+ and down -6% A25-54
• MSNBC: 1,151,000 total viewers (113,000 in 25-54) down -5% P2+ and down -16% A25-54

2Q’24 RATINGS FOR THE TOP FIVE PROGRAMS IN CABLE NEWS:

• Total Viewers: The Five (3,109,000), Jesse Watters Primetime (2,706,000), Hannity (2,388,000), Gutfeld! (2,252,000), Special Report (2,131,000),
• Adults 25-54: Gutfeld! (295,000), The Five (270,000), Jesse Watters Primetime (260,000), Hannity (258,000), The Ingraham Angle (201,000)

Source: Nielsen. Live+SD. 2Q’24 quarterly and Jun 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.