Fox Business Network Crushes CNBC In 1Q 2025

FOX Business Network (FBN) crushed its competition in 1Q '25 for the first time in business day (FBN’s 221,000 total viewers vs. CNBC’s 200,000 total viewers), market hours (FBN’s 210,000 total viewers vs. CNBC’s 204,000 total viewers) and total day (FBN’s 141,000 total viewers vs. CNBC’s 127,000 total viewers) since 2022, according to Nielsen Media Research. 

During the first quarter, the network delivered four of the top 10 business programs with total viewers. Additionally, FBN’s Kudlow ranked as the top business program for the 13th consecutive quarter.

As markets reacted to the new administration, the network saw its highest rated quarter since 2022 in business day viewers securing 221,000 total viewers, besting the competition by 11%. Additionally, FBN saw a 3% advantage in market hours which accounted for the network’s most highly rated quarter since 2022 with 210,000 total viewers. In total day, FBN captured a 11% advantage over CNBC seeing its highest rated quarter since 2022 nabbing 141,000 total viewers.

For the 13th consecutive quarter, Larry Kudlow’s eponymous Kudlow (4 PM/ET) secured its place as the top business program in cable business news. The program captured 326,000 total viewers marking a whopping 81% advantage over CNBC’s Closing Bell. FBN’s three-hour market-open program, Stuart Varney’s Varney & Co. outpaced CNBC’s Squawk on the Street for the 12th consecutive quarter with a 25% lead (269,000 total viewers).

Notably, both The Evening Edit (5 PM/ET) with Elizabeth MacDonald and The Bottom Line (6 PM/ET) ranked in the top ten business programs. The Evening Edit secured a 29% advantage over CNBC’s Fast Money (213,000 total viewers), while The Bottom Line saw a 26% lead over CNBC’s Mad Money (186,000 total viewers), marking both programs' fourth straight quarterly win over their competitors. Since moving to the 5 PM/ET slot in 2022, The Evening Edit delivered its highest rated quarter in the hour since 2020 with total viewers.

Maria Bartiromo

Throughout pre-market hours, Maria Bartiromo’s Mornings with Maria (6-9 AM/ET) drew 115,000 viewers across its three hours, besting CNBC’s Squawk Box for the eighth consecutive quarter. FBN’s additional core business day programs including The Big Money Show (12-2 PM/ET; 175,000 viewers) and Making Money with Charles Payne (2 PM/ET; 166,000 viewers) saw their highest rated quarters since 2022. Additionally, Liz Claman’s The Claman Countdown (3 PM/ET; 162,000 viewers) saw record high quarterly ratings with total viewers since 2024 and with the A25-54 demo since 2023. On Fridays, Maria Bartiromo’s Wall Street (Fridays, 7-7:30 PM/ET; 100,000 viewers) posted a 35% advantage over CNBC’s programming, accounting for its third quarterly win in a row over CNBC. Barron’s Roundtable (Fridays, 7:30-8 PM/ET) nabbed 66,000 total viewers and saw 29% growth from first quarter 2024.

 

***Below is the data according to Nielsen Media Research

➤Ratings for the first quarter of 2025:

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

• FBN: 221,000 total viewers and 12,000 A25-54
• CNBC: 200,000 total viewers and 51,000 A25-54

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

• FBN: 210,000 total viewers and 11,000 A25-54
• CNBC: 204,000 total viewers and 53,000 A25-54

Total Day (M-F)

• FBN: 141,000 total viewers and 13,000 A25-54
• CNBC: 127,000 total viewers and 34,000 A25-54

**Program Specials Excluded​**

Sourcing: Nielsen, Live + SD 1Q’25td (12/30/24-3/30/25). 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).