Fox News is the Most-Watched Cable Network in Total Day For 18 Straight Weeks

By A.J. Katz 

Despite the incessant controversy swirling around Fox News and parent company 21st Century Fox, the network continues to thrive ratings-wise. Fox News executive chairman and 21CF co-chairman Rupert Murdoch said as much yesterday, and he appears to be correct.

Fox News marked the 18th consecutive week at No. 1 in total day viewers this past week, according to Nielsen data. FNC ranked No. 2 basic cable network in prime time viewers, behind only NBA-playoff focused TNT.

The week of May 1st was the first full week of FNC’s new programming lineup, which now includes The Fox News Specialists at 5 p.m., and Martha MacCallum‘s newly-named 7 p.m. program The Story.

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In the industry-standard Monday – Sunday prime time, the network was -8 percent from the comparable week last year (week of May 2, 2016). In total day, Fox News was +10 percent from the comparable week last year.

In weekday prime (Mon-Fri, 8 – 11 p.m.), the network was -16 percent versus the same time interval during the comparable week last year. To be fair, part of the reason for the significant decline may have been because of prime time coverage of the Indiana primary, which took place on Tuesday, May 3rd 2016.

On the programming front, Tucker Carlson Tonight ranked No. 4 in overall basic cable in total viewers. The Five, now at 9 p.m., ironically followed at No. 5 across basic cable in total viewers.

MSNBC knocked off CNN in total prime time viewers for the 15th consecutive week, and in total day viewers for the 11th consecutive week. The network ranked No. 4 in prime time viewers, +55 percent from the same week last year, and ranked No. 6 in total day viewers (+41 percent from last year).

CNN slipped from the same week last year, -25 percent in total prime time viewers. The network was also -4 percent in total day viewers from last year.

HLN ranked was -15 percent in total prime time viewers and -12 percent in total day viewers from the comparable week last year.

CNBC was +7 percent in prime time this past week (receiving an assist from NHL Stanley Cup playoffs coverage), but -6 percent in total day viewers from last year.

Fox Business was -26 percent in total prime time viewers, and -2 percent in total day viewers this past week compared to last year.

Basic Cable Network Ranker: Week of May 1 (Total Viewers)

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