Fox News finished its 143rd consecutive month as the number one cable news network in November, beating MSNBC and CNN combined in both total day and primetime. FNC was second in all of cable news in primetime this month, finishing behind only ESPN. But like its competitors, Fox News saw double-digit declines compared to the same month last year, when the Presidential election was held.
The ratings for November 2013 (Nielsen Live + Same Day data):
- Primetime (Mon-Sun): 2,011,000 total viewers / 348,000 A25-54
- Total Day Mon-Sun): 1,201,000 total viewers / 248,000 A25-54
In primetime, Fox News was down -21% in total viewers and -41% in the A25-54 demographic compared to November 2012. In total day, FNC is down -18% and -30%, respectively.
November was the first full month for Fox News’ revamped primetime lineup. “The O’Reilly Factor” was down -17% in total viewers and -31% in the demo compared to the same month last year. The 9pmET hour of “The Kelly File” was down -10% in total viewers and -27% in the demo compared to November 2012, when Sean Hannity held the timeslot, and “Hannity” was down -21% and 31%, respectively, compared to the 10pmET hour of “On the Record with Greta Van Susteren” last year.
Since the debut of the new primetime lineup, “The Kelly File” is up +41% in total viewers and +29% in the demo and “Hannity” is up +21% and +26%, respectively.
Some bright spots for Fox News: “Special Report with Bret Baier” and “The Five” both delivered their highest ratings of the year in both total viewers and the demo. “Special Report” had 2,380,000 total viewers and 396,000 A25-54 viewers and “The Five” averaged 2,332,000 and 390,000, respectively. Howard Kurtz’s “MediaBuzz” is also performing well, up +22% in total viewers and +73% in the demo from its debut.