FOX News Channel (FNC) finished the week of December 29 continuing to lead all of cable news, according to Nielsen Big Data + Panel. In weekday primetime, FNC drew 1.6 million viewers, easily outpacing CNN and MS NOW. In Monday-Sunday primetime, FNC nabbed 1.5 million viewers and 139,000 in the 25-54 demo. Across total day (6 AM-6 AM/ET), FNC posted 1.3 million viewers and 128,000 in the 25-54 demo.
FOX News Channel’s breaking news coverage of the United States’ strike on Venezuela and capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Saturday, January 3rd was the most watched in all of television.
From 11:15 AM-12:45 PM/ET, the network delivered over 4.6 million viewers and 720,000 in the 25-54 demo, leading ABC (2.4 million viewers; 512,000 A25-54), NBC (1.6 million viewers; 378,000 A25-54) and CBS (1.5 million viewers; 343,000 A25-54). From 6-10 AM/ET, FOX & Friends Weekend, which featured the exclusive first interview with President Donald Trump, averaged 1.7 million viewers.
At 10 AM/ET, Saturday in America, guest-anchored by Bryan Llenas, posted 3.7 million viewers and chief political anchor Bret Baier’s breaking news coverage, from 11 AM-12:45 PM/ET, scored 4.5 million viewers. FOX News Live, anchored by Mike Emanuel from 12:45-2 PM/ET, delivered 3.1 million viewers and FOX Report with Jon Scott, which aired from 2-5 PM/ET, drew 2.2 million viewers.
The Five averaged 2.7 million viewers and 224,000 in the 25-54 demo, leading cable news with viewers. At 6 PM/ET, Special Report with Bret Baier drew 2 million viewers and 187,000 in the 25-54 demo. The Ingraham Angle saw 1.9 million viewers and 145,000 in the 25-54 demo at 7 PM/ET. Jesse Watters Primetime commanded 1.9 million viewers and 168,000 in the 25-54 demo at 8 PM/ET. At 9 PM/ET, Hannity posted 1.6 million viewers and 134,000 with A25-54. FNC’s late-night hit Gutfeld! (weekdays, 10 PM/ET) averaged 2 million viewers and 199,000 in the 25-54 demo, while the broadcast competition was off for the week. At 11 PM/ET, FOX News @ Night with Trace Gallagher secured 1.1 million viewers.
The network’s daytime programs continued to reign with America’s Newsroom (weekdays, 9-11 AM/ET; 1.6 million viewers), The Faulkner Focus (weekdays, 11 AM/ET; 1.6 million viewers), Outnumbered (weekdays, 12 PM/ET; 1.6 million viewers), America Reports (weekdays, 1-3 PM/ET; 1.4 million viewers), The Story (weekdays, 3 PM/ET; 1.4 million viewers) and The Will Cain Show (weekdays, 4 PM/ET; 1.6 million viewers) each defeating the CNN and MS NOW competition.
On Sunday: Sunday Morning Futures (Sunday, 10 AM/ET) guest-hosted by Jason Chaffetz was the number one cable news show of the day with 1.9 million viewers. The Sunday Briefing, anchored by Jacqui Heinrich, nabbed 1.7 million viewers. Sunday Night in America with Trey Gowdy posted 1.3 million viewers and The Big Weekend Show (weekends, 5-8 PM/ET) saw 1.1 million viewers.
Source: Nielsen. Big Data + Panel. Week of 12-29-25 ratings data. Average audience for cable news networks Monday-Sunday based on Total Day and Prime (6a-6a, 8P-11P), P2+, P25-54. Cable News/Broadcast Program averages exclude repeats and include the corresponding program name.
“Good Morning America” averages 2.688 million Total Viewers, 467,000 Adults 25-54 and 320,000 Adults 18-49 for the week of Dec. 29, 2025, based on Live+Same Day Big Data Plus Panel Program Ratings from Nielsen Media Research.
The Five averaged 2.7 million viewers and 224,000 in the 25-54 demo, leading cable news with viewers. At 6 PM/ET, Special Report with Bret Baier drew 2 million viewers and 187,000 in the 25-54 demo. The Ingraham Angle saw 1.9 million viewers and 145,000 in the 25-54 demo at 7 PM/ET. Jesse Watters Primetime commanded 1.9 million viewers and 168,000 in the 25-54 demo at 8 PM/ET. At 9 PM/ET, Hannity posted 1.6 million viewers and 134,000 with A25-54. FNC’s late-night hit Gutfeld! (weekdays, 10 PM/ET) averaged 2 million viewers and 199,000 in the 25-54 demo, while the broadcast competition was off for the week. At 11 PM/ET, FOX News @ Night with Trace Gallagher secured 1.1 million viewers.
The network’s daytime programs continued to reign with America’s Newsroom (weekdays, 9-11 AM/ET; 1.6 million viewers), The Faulkner Focus (weekdays, 11 AM/ET; 1.6 million viewers), Outnumbered (weekdays, 12 PM/ET; 1.6 million viewers), America Reports (weekdays, 1-3 PM/ET; 1.4 million viewers), The Story (weekdays, 3 PM/ET; 1.4 million viewers) and The Will Cain Show (weekdays, 4 PM/ET; 1.6 million viewers) each defeating the CNN and MS NOW competition.
 |
| Ratings Graphics Courtesy of RoadMN |
Source: Nielsen. Big Data + Panel. Week of 12-29-25 ratings data. Average audience for cable news networks Monday-Sunday based on Total Day and Prime (6a-6a, 8P-11P), P2+, P25-54. Cable News/Broadcast Program averages exclude repeats and include the corresponding program name.
📺BROADCST EVENING NEWS
During the week of December 29, 2025, to January 4, 2026 (a holiday period spanning New Year's Eve and Day), viewership for the major broadcast evening newscasts was somewhat lower than typical non-holiday weeks, as audiences often shift to specials, sports, or reruns.
Nielsen data indicates that ABC World News Tonight with David Muir led the pack, averaging 7.73 million total viewers and approximately 833,000 viewers in the key Adults 25-54 demographic for the portion of the week ending December 29–early January.
NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas followed in second place, outperforming CBS on key nights (e.g., around 7.2 million total viewers on January 5, suggesting similar or slightly lower weekly performance).
CBS Evening News ranked third, trailing significantly (typically in the 4–5 million range during this period, though exact weekly figures were not detailed in reports; its debut under new anchoring in early January drew lower numbers).
This holiday week followed trends seen in prior December weeks, where ABC consistently dominated (e.g., 8+ million in early December), but overall numbers dipped due to the festive season. ABC maintained its strong season-long lead over competitors. Note that full detailed weekly breakdowns for this exact period were limited in public reports, likely due to holiday scheduling disruptions and preemptions.
📺BROADCAST MORNNG SHOWS
- “GMA” posted week-to-week gains in Adults 25-54 (+6% – 467,000 vs. 440,000) and Adults 18-49 (+2% – 320,000 vs. 314,000), hitting 4-week highs in both measures — since w/o 12/1/25.
- “GMA” turned in increases on the same week last year in Total Viewers (+1% – 2.688 million vs. 2.651 million), Adults 25-54 (+6% – 467,000 vs. 440,000) and Adults 18-49 (+19% – 320,000 vs. 270,000), standing as the only morning newscast to grow year to year across the board.
- “GMA” narrowed its gaps on the previous week with “Today” in Adults 25-54 (-41% – 94,000 vs. 158,000) and Adults 18-49 (-3% – 85,000 vs. 84,000), posting its closest performance in 4 weeks — since w/o 12/1/25.
- “GMA” decreased its margins with “Today” on the year-ago week by double digits in Adults 25-54 (-47% – 94,000 vs. 178,000) and Adults 18-49 (-37% – 85,000 vs. 134,000).
- “GMA” (2.688 million, 467,000 and 320,000, respectively) beat “CBS Mornings” (1.661 million, 231,000 and 163,000, respectively) in Total Viewers (+1.027 million), Adults 25-54 (+236,000) and Adults 18-49 (+157,000).
- “GMA” led “CBS Mornings” in Total Viewers and Adults 25-54 for the last 1,407 weeks overall — since w/o 1/18/99.
📺PRIMETIME
This week spanned the New Year's holiday period, featuring mostly specials, repeats, sports (NBA, college football playoffs), and New Year's Eve programming. Overall primetime viewership was lower than typical non-holiday weeks due to travel, celebrations, and reduced schedules. Nielsen data (live + same day) highlights specials and events rather than regular scripted series.
Key Highlights and Top Programs
- Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve on ABC dominated New Year's Eve, with strong growth year-over-year.
- The late portion (around midnight ET) averaged ~19.5 million viewers (up ~9% from the prior year, a four-year high).
- Primetime lead-in (8–10 p.m.): ~7.74 million viewers.
- 10:30–11:30 p.m.: ~11.32 million viewers.
- Post-midnight (12:30–2 a.m.): ~8.43 million viewers (up 85% in some segments).
- ABC's The Year: 2025 retrospective special on Monday, December 29 led that night, up 60% from its prior airing, outperforming Monday Night Football and NBA coverage.
- CBS's New Year's Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash saw heavy declines in viewers compared to the previous year.
- Thursday, January 1 featured College Football Playoffs dominating, along with lower-rated specials like the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction (down nearly 50%).
Other notes: Repeats (e.g., The Neighborhood on CBS, Will Trent on ABC) performed solidly; NBA on NBC jumped on Tuesday; CNN's New Year's Eve programming rose in viewers.