Q1 2014 Ratings: Fox News #1 For 49th Consecutive Quarter

By Merrill Knox 

Fox News finishes its 49th consecutive quarter and 147th consecutive month as the top-rated cable news network, besting the competition in both total day and primetime during the first quarter of 2014. In addition to delivering cable news’ top 14 programs in total viewers and top seven programs in the A25-54 demographic, Fox News was the only cable news network to grow compared to the year-ago quarter.

The ratings for Q1 2014 (Nielsen Live + Same Day data):

  • Primetime (Mon-Sun): 1,804,000 total viewers / 293,000 A25-54
  • Total Day (Mon-Sun): 1,099,000 total viewers / 225,000 A25-54

Compared to Q1 2013, Fox News was up +3% in total viewers and +5% in A25-54 viewers in total day. In primetime, the network was up +4% and +5%, respectively.

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Megyn Kelly and Sean Hannity are boosting viewership in their new timeslots: “The Kelly File” is up +15% in total viewers and 4% in the demo and “Hannity” is up +16% and +2%, respectively, compared to the year-ago quarter’s 9pm and 10pmET programming. “On the Record with Greta Van Susteren” was up +8 and flat in the demo compared to the 7pmET hour last year. Bill O’Reilly’s primetime program remains the top-rated show on cable news but is down -3% in both ratings measurements year-over-year.

The network’s late afternoon and early evening shows had a strong quarter: “Shepard Smith Reporting” is up +10% in total viewers and +5% in the demo compared to Q1 2013. Fox News’ 5pmET and 6pmET programs are also up in both ratings measurements: “The Five” is up +9% in total viewers and +7% in the demo and “Special Report” is up +6% and +3%, respectively.

“Fox and Friends First” saw the biggest gains for the network compared to the year-ago quarter, up +18% in total viewers and +28% in the demo.

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