Fox News Channel continues to be the ratings standard-bearer among cable news channels, marking 47 consecutive quarters at number one. Like MSNBC, it saw double-digit ratings declines compared to Q3 2012, though the declines didn’t bring any of the competition much closer.
The ratings for Q2 2013, (Nielsen Live + Same Day data):
- Primetime (Mon-Sun): 1,609,000 Total Viewers / 279,000 A25-54
- Total Day Mon-Sun): 1,024,000 Total Viewers / 207,000 A25-54
In primetime, total viewership was down -20% compared to Q3 2012, while adults 25-54 were down -29%. In total day, total viewers were down -11% while the demo was down -23%. That said, Q3 2012 had the RNC and DNC, as well as coverage of the attacks in Benghazi, Libya.
Some FNC shows did see their lowest quarterly numbers since 2001, including “Fox & Friends,” “Hannity” and the “Fox Report.” Each of those shows is being changed by FNC, with Elisabeth Hasselbeck joining “F&F,” “Hannity” moving to 10 PM and “Fox Report” being shifted to make room for “On the Record.”
As has become usual for FNC, it was the only cable news channel to be a top 10 cable channel in the ratings, and it topped CNN and MSNBC combined in total viewers. “The Five,” still a relatively young cable news program, marked its fifth straight quarter at number one. FNC has now been the top cable news channel for 47 straight quarters.