Fox News finished its 148th consecutive month as the top-rated cable news network. FNC’s hold on total viewers remains particularly strong, with the network beating CNN and MSNBC combined in every hour.
The ratings for April 2014 (Nielsen Live + Same Day data):
- Primetime (Mon-Sun): 1,614,000 total viewers / 296,000 A25-54
- Total Day Mon-Sun): 960,000 total viewers / 201,000 A25-54
Compared to the same month last year, Fox News was down -22% in total viewers and -27% in the A25-54 demographic in total day. In primetime, the network was down -20% and -24%, respectively. The cable news networks — including Fox News, which placed second among all ad-supported cable networks in April 2013 — saw elevated ratings last year due to the Boston Marathon bombings.
Like the rest of programming, the primetime shows were down across the board compared to the same month last year: “The O’Reilly Factor” was down -19% in total viewers and -25% in A25-54 viewers, “The Kelly File” was down -13% in total viewers and -27% in the demo (compared to the 9pmET timeslot last year) and “Hannity” was down -19% and -24%, respectively (compared to the 10pmET timeslot last year).
On the upside, it was a milestone month for “Fox & Friends,” which marks 150 consecutive months as the top-rated cable news morning show.