TV Ratings: Fox News Channel Remains Top Choice For Viewers

FOX News Channel (FNC) was again the leader in television for coverage of the second night of the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Tuesday, July 16th, according to data from Nielsen Media Research.

Notably, the network increased its share of the cable news audience versus night one, occupying 76% of the prime viewers, a nearly record-breaking share. Additionally for the second consecutive night, FNC posted growth among total viewers compared to night one and night two of the 2016 RNC. FNC is the only network that gained viewership versus 2016, up double-digits in total day and primetime, while CNN and MSNBC have shed massive amounts of viewership among every category. (CNN: -62% in total day and -68% in primetime) and (MSNBC: -29% in total day and -48% in primetime.)

FNC’s special coverage FOX News Democracy 2024: 

• The Republican National Convention co-anchored by Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum (10 – 11:30 PM/ET) averaged 5.4 million viewers and nearly 951,000 in A25-54, notching a 498% total viewer and 222% 25-54 demo advantage over CNN and a 566% and 747% advantage over MSNBC. 
• At 9 PM/ET, Hannity delivered 5.5 million viewers and nearly 842,000 in the 25-54 demo, beating the competition with triple-digit percentages and finishing as the most-watched program of the night, behind only the MLB All-Star game on FOX.

Originating from Milwaukee, Wisconsin the network’s programming delivered 5.4 million in primetime (8-11 PM/ET) and 830,000 in the 25-54 demo. In total day (3-3 AM/ET), the network notched over 2.6 million viewers and 401,000 in the 25-54 demo. In contrast, MSNBC and CNN failed to reach 1 million viewers in primetime, while MSNBC delivered less than 100,000 viewers in the 25-54 demo.

Throughout primetime, FNC’s signature lineup crushed every hour among the competition, leading with The Ingraham Angle at 7 PM/ET (4 million P2+ and 519,000 A25-54) and Jesse Watters Primetime at 8 PM/ET secured 5.2 million viewers and 705,000 in the 25-54 demo. Late-night show Gutfeld!, which aired in front of a live audience in Milwaukee from 11:30 PM/ET – 12:30 AM/ET, drew 3.1 million viewers and 668,000 in the 25-54 demo.

At 5 PM/ET, FNC’s powerhouse program and the most-watched show in all of cable news, The Five, delivered 4.7 million viewers and 526,000 in the 25-54 demo. Following the hour, Special Report with Bret Baier had nearly 3.6 million viewers and 423,000 in the 25-54 demo.

MSNBC – 557,000 P2+; 84,000 A25-54