FOX Business Network (FBN) outpaced CNBC across business day, market hours and total day in April 2026, according to Nielsen Media Research Big Data + Panel. Led by FBN’s market open and close programs, Varney & Co. and Kudlow placed as the top two business programs in television and besting their CNBC counterparts for the 50th and 55th consecutive months, respectively.
For the 12th straight month, FBN outranked CNBC in business day securing 254,000 viewers and besting them by 11%. In market hours (251,000 viewers), FBN led CNBC with a 6% win and in total day viewers, FBN reigned over CNBC for the second straight month garnering 151,000 viewers, an 8% win. Notably, FBN posted double-digit year-over-year increases in total viewers in business day and market hours.
FBN's three-hour market opener Varney & Co. (9 AM-12 PM/ET) notched its 50th consecutive month outpacing CNBC’s Squawk on the Street with 313,000 viewers and securing a 21% advantage for the month. Meanwhile, Larry Kudlow’s eponymous Kudlow (4 PM/ET) delivered 292,000 viewers, a whopping 53% advantage over CNBC’s Closing Bell, and the program’s 55th straight monthly win.
Maria Bartiromo’s pre-market program, Mornings with Maria (6-9 AM/ET) hit its highest rated month since November 2024 with total viewers seeing 128,000 viewers. Meanwhile, The Big Money Show (12-2 PM/ET) saw 229,000 viewers, securing a 27% increase in total viewers year-over-year and placed as a top ten business program in business television for the month. Making Money with Charles Payne (2-3 PM/ET) nabbed 194,000 viewers, securing a 7% increase in total viewers year-over-year. Liz Claman’s The Claman Countdown (3-4 PM/ET) nabbed 201,000 viewers, securing a 10% increase in total viewers year-over-year and placed as a top ten business program for the month.
In April, The Evening Edit and The Bottom Line marked their 26th consecutive monthly victory over CNBC’s respective programs. The Evening Edit (5 PM/ET; 229,000 viewers) saw a substantial 36% advantage over its competition Fast Money and placed as a top ten business program for the month. The Bottom Line (6 PM/ET; 174,000 viewers) saw a whopping 43% advantage over CNBC’s marquee program Mad Money with Jim Cramer.
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| Ratings Graphic Courtesy of RoadMN |
On Fridays, Maria Bartiromo’s Wall Street (Fridays, 7-7:30 PM/ET) delivered its highest rated month since February 2025 nabbing 111,000 viewers, a 63% advantage over CNBC’s Shark Tank. The program additionally placed as the second highest show with audiences with a median income in the 25-54 demo in all of cable news in April with a median income of $221,300. During the second half of the 7 PM/ET hour, Barron’s Roundtable (Fridays, 7:30-8 PM/ET) tied for its highest rated month ever with total viewers, notching 85,000 viewers. The program continued its reign over CNBC’s Shark Tank for the fourth straight month. The Big Money Show ($157,200) and Varney & Co. ($151,500) additionally rounded out the top fifteen programs with median income in the 25-54 demo in all of cable news in April.