Fox News was the ratings leader during prime time and total day during February 2009 — its 86th month on top. FNC averaged more Total Viewers than CNN and MSNBC combined in prime time and total day.
FNC had nine out of the top 10 programs in cable news last month in Total Viewers. The O’Reilly Factor was #1 for the 99th consecutive month, and was up 33% in Total Viewers compared to February 2008. The other top programs included Hannity (up 38%), Glenn Beck (the 5pmET hour was up 100%), The FOX Report with Shepard Smith (up 30%) and On the Record with Greta Van Susteren (up 24%).
On the Record also reclaimed the lead in the 25-54 demographic, up 4% year to year. At 7pmET, FOX Report was up 28% in the demo, The O’Reilly Factor was up 44% and “Hannity” up 34%.
FNC’s third newly launched show, “Special Report with Bret Baier,” was up 38% in Total Viewers and the demo compared to last year. Baier’s new program, Beck’s and Sean Hannity’s solo hour at 9pmET beat CNN and MSNBC combined in Total Viewers during their respective time periods.
In total day, FNC is up 29%, MSNBC 17% and CNN 2% in Total Viewers, and FNC is up 24%, MSNBC 7% and CNN is down 14% in the demo.
In prime time, FNC is up 28%, MSNBC 23% and CNN is down 30% in Total Viewers, while FNC is up 21%, MSNBC 3% and CNN is down 44% in the demo.