The Boston bombing and subsequent manhunt, as well as the horrific Texas fire led to a huge news month in April, and Fox News led the pack among the cable news channels.
The ratings for April, 2013 (Nielsen Live + Same Day data):
- Primetime (Mon-Sun): 2,016,000 Total Viewers / 389,000 A25-54
- Total Day Mon-Sun): 1,233,000 Total Viewers / 278,000 A25-54
Compared to the same month last year, Fox News was up +9% in total viewers and down -2% in adults 25-54. In total day FNC was up +14% in total viewers and +2% in the demo. April 2012 saw a number of GOP primaries, which led to slightly than higher average numbers for FNC. That said, the bombing in Boston was clearly the bigger story, and every hour of the day was up for FNC in total viewers, even as some hours were down in the key demo.
For the month, Fox News was the number two channel among all ad-supported cable networks (more on that later), the first time that happened in a non-election month since the tsunami in japan in March, 2011.
In primetime: “The O’Reilly Factor” was up +7% in total viewers and down -4% in the demo at 8 PM, while “Hannity” was up +14% in total viewers and +5% in the demo at 9 PM. 10 PM’s “On the Record with Greta Van Susteren” was up +1% in total viewers and down -3% in the demo.
The dayside shows tended to have the most growth, with “Special Report” up +20% in total viewers and up +6% in the demo, and “Your World” up +22% in total viewers and +15% in the demo.
In the morning, “Fox & Friends” was up +10% in total viewers and +1% in the demo. “The Five” was up +21% in total viewers, but was down -5% in the demo.