Per Nielsen data, Fox News was the most-watched basic cable network for the week of February 6, both in total day and in prime time. The network, which also finished No. 1 this week last year, posted year-over-year total viewer growth in both dayparts, +24 percent in prime time and +28 percent in total day viewers.
Bill O’Reilly had a particularly strong week, as The Factor scored 4 of the 6-most-watched cable programs of the week, each averaging more than 4 million total viewers. Only The Walking Dead delivered more.
Additionally, FNC programs made up 26 of the top 35 cable telecasts in total viewers, including various presentations of The Five, Special Report with Bret Baier, The First 100 Days, The O’Reilly Factor, Tucker Carlson Tonight and Hannity.
Fox News also defeated rivals CNN and MSNBC combined in both total day and average prime time viewers.
Basic Cable Top 5 – Prime time (Total Viewers)
- Fox News (2,950,000)
- HGTV (1,633,000)
- AMC (1,565,000)
- USA (1,561,000)
- MSNBC (1,436,000)
Basic Cable Top 5 – Total Day (Total Viewers)
- FNC (1,759,000)
- Nickelodeon (1,205,000)
- HGTV (939,000)
- CNN (871,000)
- Adult Swim (818,000)
CNN ranked No. 4 in total day viewers, and No. 9 in total prime time viewers this past week. The network posted a -4 percent prime time viewer decline from the same week last year, but put up a solid +31 percent bump in total day.
MSNBC defeated CNN in total prime time viewers (No. 5), but finished behind in total day (No. 7). The network posted +71 percent year-over-year prime time viewer growth this past week, and +56 percent growth in total day.
HLN and CNBC both had rough ratings weeks relative to the same week last year. HLN ranked No. 48 in total prime time viewers this past week (-15 percent year-over-year) and No. 41 in total day (-22 percent year-over-year). CNBC ranked No. 51 in prime time (-41 percent year-over-year) and No. 60 in total day (-28 percent year-over-year).
Fox Business Network, on the other hand, performed well relative to the same week in 2016. FBN ranked No. 76 in total prime time viewers (+33 percent year-over-year), and No. 57 in total day (+58 percent year-over-year). This is the 4th consecutive week that Fox Business has defeated CNBC in total day viewers, but the network still falls short in the news demo and in prime time.