People just can’t seem to get enough of the 2016 presidential election, as evidenced by the huge numbers cable news networks continue to deliver, particularly when compared to this time last year.
Fox News Channel was the most-watched basic cable network for the week of July 11, both in the total day and prime time dayparts. This represents the 6th consecutive weekly win for FNC, which was up 56.5 percent in total prime time viewers and up 56 percent in total day viewers compared to the same week in 2015.
Among cable news networks, FNC topped MSNBC and CNN combined for the week in both prime time and total day viewership during continuous breaking news coverage of the attack in Nice along with the decision from the presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on his running mate Gov. Mike Pence.
During the week of major breaking news, FNC had 12 telecasts in the top 20 basic cable telecasts (total viewers) including The O’Reilly Factor, The Kelly File and America’s Newsroom, On the Record with Greta Van Susteren, Hannity and The Five. The July 14th telecast of The O’Reilly Factor was the #2 cable telecast for the week with 4,596,000 viewers only behind ESPN’s presentation of the Home Run Derby.
Fox News finished ahead of Nickelodeon, Adult Swim, Cartoon Network and HGTV in average total day viewers, and ahead of HGTV, USA, ESPN and TNT in total prime time viewers.
CNN was a top 10 basic cable network this past week, both in total prime time viewers (No. 8) and in total day viewers (No. 6). CNN’s numbers were huge compared to the same week in 2015, with the network being +112 percent in total prime time viewers and +97 percent in total day viewers year-over-year.
MSNBC ranked No. 11 in total prime time viewers and No. 10 in total day viewers. The network was up 65 percent in total prime time viewers and up 58 percent in total day viewers compared to the same week in 2015.
Basic Cable Ranker: Week of 7-11-16 (Total Viewers)