Consistent coverage of the massacre at Orlando’s Pulse nightclub is likely why Fox News, CNN and MSNBC each delivered double digit year-over-year gains in total viewers.
Fox News was basic cable’s most-watched network of the week in prime time, delivering close to 2.1 million viewers. That’s a 36 percent boost from the comparable week in 2015. HGTV, TBS, USA and TNT followed. FNC finished behind Nickelodeon in total day viewers, despite being up 27 percent in the daypart year-over-year.
MSNBC was the 9th-most-watched basic cable network in total prime time viewers, experiencing a year-over-year gain of 72 percent. The Peacock’s news channel finished No. 13 in total day viewers, up 61 percent year-over-year.
MSNBC may have defeated CNN in total prime time viewers, but the latter beat the former in total day viewers. CNN ranked No. 7 in total day, experiencing a 51 percent year-over-year boost. The network finished No. 11 in total prime time viewers, up 57 percent year-over-year.
CNBC and HLN were down both in total prime time viewers and total day viewers from the comparable week in 2015. FBN’s Varney & Co edged CNBC’s Squawk on the Street in total viewers.