Fox News was the most-watched basic cable network in total day viewers for a fifth consecutive week, and has now ranked No. 1 for 11 of the past 12 weeks. FNC remained No. 2 in total prime time viewers behind ESPN. The network delivered a 50.5 percent year-over-year bump in total prime time viewers, and a 27 percent bump in total day viewers compared to the same week in 2015.
The O’Reilly Factor had three of the top nine cable telecasts for the week, and On the Record with Brit Hume delivered double-digit year-over-year increase in A25-54. For the first two weeks with Hume hosting, the program is up 6 percent in total viewer in viewers and up 11 percent in the demo compared to the August 2016 average. Also, the debut of the new show I’ll Tell You What with hosts Dana Perino and Chris Stirewalt was up 48 percent in total viewers and 28 up percent in the demo compared to the network’s Sunday 5 p.m. ET average in 2016 to-date.
MSNBC topped CNN in both total day and primetime viewers, ranking No. 6 in primetime and No. 11 in total day. The network continues to benefit from its political-focused programming slate, delivering a 96.5 percent boost in total prime time viewers and a 79 percent boost in total day viewers compared to the same week last year.
CNN ranked No. 13 in total prime time viewers and No. 12 in total day viewers this past week. The network fell 76.5 percent in prime time and fell 36 percent in total day from the comparable week in 2015. It’s important to note that CNN finished No. 2 in total prime time viewers this week last year, given a huge boost by the GOP debate. As a result, the year-over-year decline is understandable.
HLN ranked No. 45 in total prime time viewers (282,000) and No. 41 in total day viewers (243,000). The network improved by 9 percent in prime time but fell 5 percent in total day from the same week last year.
CNBC ranked No. 48 in total prime time viewers (271,000) and No. 54 in total day viewers (132,000). The network improved by 10 percent in prime time but fell 4 percent in total day from the same week last year.
Fox Business ranked No. 82 in total prime time viewers (97,000) and No. 66 in total day viewers (111,000). The network improved by 47 percent in prime time and by 95 percent in total day from the same week in 2015.
Here’s a look at the top cable networks of the week in average total viewers:
Top 5 – Primetime (P2+)
- ESPN (3,374,000)
- Fox News Channel (2,439,000)
- HGTV (1,508,000)
- TBS (1,452,000)
- USA (1,346,000)
Top 5 – Total Day (P2+)
- Fox News Channel (1,402,000)
- ESPN (1,115,000)
- Nickelodeon (1,088,000)
- Adult Swim (888,000)
- HGTV (837,000)
Lastly, the full basic cable network ranker for the week of September 12: