Fox News Channel Resonates With 'Middle America'

Fox News Channel has continued to achieve numerous milestone accomplishments in Nielsen ratings, reflecting its dominance in the cable news landscape. 

One of the most significant milestones is Fox News' 23 consecutive years as the No. 1 cable news network in both total day and primetime viewers, a streak that continued into 2025. This longevity underscores its sustained popularity among audiences. In January 2025, Fox News posted its highest-rated January in history, averaging 1.9 million total day viewers and 2.78 million in primetime, far surpassing MSNBC (734,000) and CNN (522,000) in primetime viewership. This marked a 40% increase from the previous year, highlighting a significant surge in audience engagement.

February 2025 was another landmark month, ranking as Fox News’ fifth highest-rated month ever and its most-watched February of all time. The network averaged 3.091 million primetime viewers, achieving its third-highest share of the cable news audience ever. This period saw Fox News dominate with the top five highest-rated cable news shows, including "The Five" (4.699 million viewers), "Jesse Watters Primetime" (4.186 million), "Hannity" (3.597 million), "Special Report with Bret Baier" (3.585 million), and "The Ingraham Angle" (3.485 million). The month also included standout moments like Sean Hannity’s interview with Elon Musk and President Trump, which drew 5.4 million viewers, the second highest-rated cable telecast of February.

A particularly notable achievement came in the first week of March 2025 (March 3-9), when Fox News surpassed the major broadcast networks—ABC, CBS, and NBC—in primetime viewership. Averaging 4.8 million viewers, it outpaced CBS (4.2 million), NBC (3.4 million), and ABC (2.6 million), a feat that reinforced its position as a leading force in television news, not just cable. "The Five" maintained its status as the most-watched cable news program during this period, averaging 4.7 million viewers..

In the coveted Adults 25-54 demographic, Fox News has consistently led, averaging 353,000 primetime viewers in January 2025 (up 61% from the prior year) and 387,000 in February, dwarfing CNN and MSNBC. This strength in the advertiser-preferred demo further solidifies its market position.

Total Day Viewership

• Fox News: In January 2025, Fox News averaged 1.9 million total day viewers, a 40% increase from the previous year. By February 2025, it maintained a strong 1.984 million average, reinforcing its lead.
• CNN: CNN lagged significantly with 522,000 total day viewers in January 2025 and 566,000 in February, showing a year-over-year decline of 8% in January.
• MSNBC: MSNBC averaged 734,000 total day viewers in January 2025 and 838,000 in February, down 12% from the prior year in January.

Fox News’ total day audience in January was over three times CNN’s and more than double MSNBC’s. Even in February, Fox News outpaced MSNBC by over 1 million viewers and CNN by nearly 1.4 million, highlighting a widening gap.

Primetime Viewership

• Fox News: Fox News hit 2.78 million primetime viewers in January 2025 (up 40% year-over-year) and soared to 3.091 million in February, its fifth highest-rated month ever. In the first week of March (March 3-9), it averaged 4.8 million, surpassing broadcast networks.
• CNN: CNN managed only 522,000 primetime viewers in January (down 8%) and 566,000 in February, struggling to maintain relevance.
• MSNBC: MSNBC averaged 734,000 primetime viewers in January (down 12%) and 838,000 in February, trailing far behind Fox News.
• Broadcast Networks (March 3-9, 2025): Fox News’ 4.8 million primetime viewers outdid CBS (4.2 million), NBC (3.4 million), and ABC (2.6 million), a rare feat for a cable network.

In February, Fox News’ primetime audience was over five times CNN’s and nearly four times MSNBC’s. Its March performance against broadcast giants underscores its dominance beyond cable news.

Key Program Performance

• Fox News: The top five cable news shows in February 2025 were all Fox News programs: "The Five" (4.699 million), "Jesse Watters Primetime" (4.186 million), "Hannity" (3.597 million), "Special Report with Bret Baier" (3.585 million), and "The Ingraham Angle" (3.485 million). "The Five" has been the No. 1 cable news show for multiple months.
• CNN: CNN’s highest-rated show, "Anderson Cooper 360," typically draws under 1 million viewers, with no programs cracking the top tier in recent months.
• MSNBC: MSNBC’s "The Rachel Maddow Show" remains its strongest performer but falls short of Fox News’ top shows, often hovering around 1.5-2 million viewers on peak nights.

Fox News’ top shows dwarf the best offerings from CNN and MSNBC by millions, with no single program from either rival consistently breaking into the top echelon.

Long-Term Trends

• Fox News: 23 straight years as the No. 1 cable news network, with its audience share growing to its highest since 2015 in 2024.
• CNN: CNN has seen steady declines, often finishing third, with its brand struggling to regain traction post-2020.
• MSNBC: MSNBC holds second place but has lost ground to Fox News, particularly in the demo and during key news cycles.

Fox News’ sustained dominance contrasts with CNN and MSNBC’s inability to close the gap, with Fox News widening its lead in 2025.