TV Ratings: FOX News Channel Dominates Primetime

With the 2024 Democratic National Convention in the rearview, it was a return to the status quo among the cable news networks. Fox News reclaimed the top spot in total viewers and the Adults 25-54 demo, and was also the only network to post week-to-week gains in either of the measured categories and dayparts.

All three networks exceeded over a million viewers in primetime, while there was a notable shake-up in the demo. CNN claimed second place, moving ahead of MSNBC in both primetime and total viewers.

TV Newser reports Nielsen live plus same-day data for the week of August 29 saw FNC average 2.309 million total viewers and 287,000 A25-54 viewers during primetime. The network was up a respective +6% and +1% in those categories relative to the week prior (the week beginning August 19). 

In total day, Fox News averaged 1.385 million total viewers and 180,000 A25-54 viewers. That translates to week-to-week declines of -5% and -10%, respectively.

Among all basic cable networks, FNC jumped back to No. 1 in total primetime viewers and placed second in the primetime demo. It continued to lead in total viewers during total day and moved from fourth to second in the demo.

MSNBC’s primetime lineup averaged 1.295 million total viewers and 143,000 viewers in the A25-54 demo. Without the DNC boost, the network saw respective double-digit declines of -62% and -74% in both of those categories. Among all basic cable networks, MSNBC dropped from first to third among total primetime viewers and finished No. 7 in the demo. During total day, it finished second in total viewers and fell from third to sixth in the demo. 

CNN averaged 1.038 million total viewers and 195,000 A25-54 viewers during primetime. The network fell by -53% and -64%, respectively, compared to the previous week. CNN ranked as the No. 4 network in primetime with both total viewers and the demo. It fell to from third to fourth in total day viewers and dropped from No. 2 to No. 3 in the total day demo. 

Fox News occupied 10 of the 15 spots of the most-watched cable news shows of the week, with The Five (3.407 million viewers at 5 p.m. ET) staying on top. MSNBC occupied the remaining spots, with The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell (1.784 million viewers at 10 p.m. ET) landing at No. 7.

📺BROADCAST EVENING NEWS

ABC's David Muir, CBS' Norah O'Donnell, NBC's Lester Holt

The evening newscasts enjoyed a nice bounce heading into the Labor Day weekend as all three posted week-to-week gains in total viewers, according to TV Newser.

ABC World News Tonight with David Muir was the No. 1 program of the week across broadcast and cable. The ABC News flagship newscast has been the most-watched program on television for 23 weeks this season, with and without sports.

Within the advertiser-coveted Adults 25-54 demo, NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt was the only broadcast to see a week-to-week decline in viewers. But the network notes that Nightly News was the third most-watched show of the week, excluding sports, specials and syndication.

WNT averaged 7.366 million total viewers and 999,000 A25-54 demo viewers for the pre-Labor Day week. That translates to gains of +5% in both measured categories compared to the previous week.

📺TELEVISION SHOW RANKER

Ranking is based on ratings data as of Friday, August 30, 2024. The audience figures are derived from the latest Nielsen daily, weekly, or monthly P2+ program audience averages, whichever is the most recently available within the past seven-day window.