Fox Business Network Crushes Its Competition

FOX Business Network (FBN) delivered its highest rated month since December 2022 with business day and market hours total viewers. The network outpaced CNBC throughout business day, market hours, and total day viewers in February, according to Nielsen Media Research. Notably, FBN beat CNBC in market hours for the third consecutive month. Additionally, Kudlow and Varney and Co. remained the top business programs for the month.  

The network outranked CNBC in total day for the 11th straight month with 147,000 P2+ viewers besting the competitor by 14%. In addition, FBN scored a 14% advantage with business day viewers (234,000 P2+), making it the fifth win over CNBC in a row, along with the third consecutive monthly win with market hours (7% advantage; 224,000 P2+). 

Larry Kudlow’s eponymous Kudlow (4 PM/ET) continues to rank as the top business news program, crushing its CNBC competition for the 41st consecutive month. While nabbing 323,000 viewers, the program dominates CNBC’s Closing Bell with a 68% advantage. FBN’s three-hour market-opener Varney & Co. (9 AM-12 PM/ET) outpaced CNBC’s Squawk on the Street/Money Movers for the 36th consecutive month notching a 29% difference with 280,000 total viewers. 

Throughout pre-market hours: Maria Bartiromo’s Mornings with Maria (6-9 AM/ET) drew 120,000 viewers across its three hours, marking its 13th consecutive monthly win over CNBC’s SquawkBox.

FBN’s additional core business day programs including The Big Money Show (12-2 PM/ET; 189,000 viewers), Making Money with Charles Payne (2 PM/ET; 179,000 viewers) and Liz Claman’s The Claman Countdown (3 PM/ET; 174,000 viewers) all scored their highest rated months with viewers since 2022 and all secured a spot in the top 15 business programs on television with total viewers.

During post-market coverage, FBN’s The Evening Edit (5 PM/ET; 216,000 viewers) with Elizabeth MacDonald posted its highest rated month since January 2021 with viewers holding a 23% advantage over CNBC’s Fast Money. FBN’s The Bottom Line (6 PM/ET; 194,000 viewers) marked a 28% advantage over its competition Mad Money. On Fridays, Maria Bartiromo’s Wall Street (Fridays, 7-7:30 PM/ET; 114,000 viewers) posted a whopping 97% advantage over CNBC’s programming. Barron’s Roundtable (Fridays, 7:30-8 PM/ET; 59,000 viewers) posted a 26% advantage compared to February 2024. 

FBN delivered five of the top 10 shows with median income in the 25-54 demo in all of cable news in February. Mornings with Maria, Varney & Co., The Big Money Show, Kudlow, and Maria Bartiromo’s Wall Street ended February with an audience whose income consisted of $148,000 or more. 

➤Ratings (Nielsen Media Research) for the month of February 2025 

Business Day (M-F 9:30 AM-5 PM/ET)

• FBN: 234,000 total viewers and 12,000 A25-54
• CNBC: 206,000 total viewers and 52,000 A25-54 

Market Hours (M-F 9 AM-4 PM/ET)

• FBN: 224,000 total viewers and 12,000 A25-54
• CNBC: 209,000 total viewers and 55,000 A25-54 

Total Day (M-F)

• FBN: 147,000 total viewers and 13,000 A25-54
• CNBC: 129,000 total viewers and 33,000 A25-54 

**Program Specials Excluded​** 

Sourcing: Nielsen, Live + SD Feb’25 (1/27/25-2/21/25). Business Day (M-F 9:30am-5pm), Market Hours (M-F 9am-4pm), M-F Total Day (Based on each network’s Nielsen defined programming day). Business News Ranker M-F 5am-8pm Business Programs (Excludes Specials & Repeats).