FOX News Channel (FNC) ended the week of June 29th with 2.5 million weekday primetime viewers and 224,000 viewers in the 25-54 demo, dominating ABC (2.2 million viewers), NBC (2.2 million viewers) and CBS (1.9 million viewers) according to Nielsen Media Research Big Data + Panel.
In Monday – Sunday primetime, FNC claimed 2.5 million viewers, and in Monday – Sunday total day, FNC averaged 1.6 million viewers. Notably, FNC also posted the most growth week-to-week in total day, notching a 16% increase in total viewers and a 24% increase in the 25-54 demo.
On Saturday: FNC delivered its highest-rated July 4th in network history, averaging 3.5 million viewers and 357,000 in the 25-54 demo during primetime and 2.3 million viewers and 262,000 in the 25-54 demo across total day – leading CBS in primetime (2 million viewers).
On Saturday: FNC delivered its highest-rated July 4th in network history, averaging 3.5 million viewers and 357,000 in the 25-54 demo during primetime and 2.3 million viewers and 262,000 in the 25-54 demo across total day – leading CBS in primetime (2 million viewers).
Special coverage in Washington D.C. hosted by Bret Baier, Sean Hannity, Dana Perino, Harris Faulkner and Brian Kilmeade from 7 PM-1 AM/ET secured 3.9 million viewers and 459,000 in the 25-54 demo – capturing 73% of the cable news share. FNC’s Independence Day coverage peaked at 5.7 million viewers and 701,000 in the 25-54 demo during President Trump’s speech from 11:15-11:45 PM/ET.
The network’s special program, America 250: Celebrating Freedom led the day with over 3.3 million viewers, making it the most-watched program of the weekend and the week. It was followed by America 250: America’s Newsroom with 2.9 million viewers and America 250: Outnumbered with 2.5 million viewers.
On Friday: FNC clinched 2.8 million viewers and 240,000 in the 25-54 demo during primetime and 1.8 million viewers and 155,000 in the 25-54 demo throughout total day. Markedly, FNC outperformed CBS (1.7 million viewers) and NBC (1.5 million viewers) through primetime. FNC’s coverage of the America250 Times Square ball drop also garnered 2.1 million viewers and 197,000 in the 25-54 demo from 11:30 PM-12:30 AM/ET, leading ABC (2 million viewers).
On Friday: FNC clinched 2.8 million viewers and 240,000 in the 25-54 demo during primetime and 1.8 million viewers and 155,000 in the 25-54 demo throughout total day. Markedly, FNC outperformed CBS (1.7 million viewers) and NBC (1.5 million viewers) through primetime. FNC’s coverage of the America250 Times Square ball drop also garnered 2.1 million viewers and 197,000 in the 25-54 demo from 11:30 PM-12:30 AM/ET, leading ABC (2 million viewers).
The Five also dominated the week, nabbing 3.2 million viewers and 288,000 in the 25-54 demo. During the 6 PM/ET hour, Special Report with Bret Baier secured 2.4 million viewers and 229,000 in the 25-54 demo. At 7 PM/ET, The Ingraham Angle drew 2.2 million viewers and 178,000 in the 25-54 demo. At 8 PM/ET, Jesse Watters Primetime clinched 2.8 million viewers and 240,000 in the 25-54 demo. At 9 PM/ET, Hannity delivered 2.1 million viewers and 172,000 in the 25-54 demo.
FNC’s flagship late-night program Gutfeld! (10 PM/ET) captured 2.6 million primetime viewers, and FOX News @ Night with Trace Gallagher (11 PM/ET) landed 1.6 million viewers – both surpassing CBS' Comics Unleashed (760,000 viewers).
FNC’s daytime programs outranked broadcast competition. America’s Newsroom (9AM-11AM/ET), The Faulkner Focus (11AM-12PM/ET) and Outnumbered (12 PM/ET) – each averaging 1.8 million viewers – America Reports (1PM-3PM/ET; 1.6 million viewers), The Story with Martha MacCallum (3-4PM/ET; 1.8 million viewers) and The Will Cain Show (4-5PM/ET; 1.9 million viewers) all outpaced Today with Jenna & Sheinelle (1.5 million viewers) and ABC’s GMA3 (1.4 million viewers).
On Sunday: Sunday Morning Futures (10 AM/ET) anchored by Maria Bartiromo claimed the top spot of the day with 1.7 million viewers. The Sunday Briefing (11 AM/ET), anchored this week by Jacqui Heinrich, notched 1.5 million viewers. FOX News Live (12-2PM/ET) anchored by chief Washington correspondent Mike Emanuel nabbed 1.6 million viewers. The Big Weekend Show (5-8PM/ET), co-hosted by Tomi Lahren and Johnny Joey Jones, saw 1.4 million viewers. In primetime, Life, Liberty, & Levin (8-9PM/ET) and Sunday Night in America with Trey Gowdy (9 PM/ET) each posted 1.2 million viewers. One Nation with Brian Kilmeade (10PM/ET) delivered over 1 million viewers.
Source: Nielsen. Big Data + Panel. Week of 6-29-26 ratings data. Average audience for cable news networks Monday - Sunday programming and Monday-Sunday based on Total Day and Prime (6a-6a, 8P-11P), P2+, P25-54. Cable News/Broadcast Program averages excludes specials and repeats and weekend cable news programs includes specials.