Fox News interim CEO Rupert Murdoch says the team has much to be proud of following the July ratings report. “Not only is Fox News Channel on track to have its highest rated year ever, but for the first time in our history, we led basic cable in both primetime and total day for three full months in a calendar year,” Murdoch wrote in a memo to staffers, obtained by TVNewser.
Murdoch also heaped praise on Fox Business Network, the business channel he bankrolled 10 years ago with the specific aim of taking on CNBC.
“FOX Business Network also beat CNBC in total viewers for both conventions combined for the first time ever and overtook CNBC in key hours during business day and primetime programming for the entire month of July,” Murdoch wrote.
FBN finished July as the fastest-growing cable network with its highest-rated month ever with politics-heavy programming. Head-to-head, Lou Dobbs Tonight (7 p.m.) and Varney & Co. (9 a.m.) topped their CNBC competition in total viewers.
During the 8 days of convention coverage, FBN edged CNBC in today day, total viewers: 158,000 vs. 156,000
Murdoch named himself interim CEO of Fox News and Fox Business on July 21, when network co-founder Roger Ailes resigned amid a sexual harassment investigation.
