Yet another cable news network achieved its best ratings ever in 2016. This time, it’s Fox Business, which had a record year both in total viewers and in the ad-friendly A25-54 demo.
Fox Business was the fastest-growing cable network in 2015. It didn’t achieve that same distinction in 2016, but by mixing business with politics the network still managed to deliver double and triple-digit total audience growth across various day parts in 2016. FBN also ranked No. 77 in total prime time viewers (135,000) and No. 71 in total day viewers (113,000) across the basic cable.
In terms of business day viewership (M-F, 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.), FBN grew +97 percent in total viewers and +69 percent in the key demo from the previous year. In total day (6 a.m. – 6 a.m.), FBN was +83 percent in total viewers and +57 percent in the demo. Additionally, FBN beat CNBC in business day and total day viewers respectively in Q4 2016, marking the first time FBN has actually beat CNBC for an entire quarter.
The 2016 daypart ratings for Fox Business (Nielsen Live+ Same Day data):
- Prime Time (Mon – Sun): 135,000 Total Viewers
- Total Day (Mon – Sun): 113,000 Total Viewers (+83 percent) / 22,000 A25-54 (+57 percent)
- Business Day (M-F, 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.): 154,000 Total Viewers (+97 percent) / 22,000 A25-54 (+69 percent)
- Post Market (M-F, 5 – 8 p.m.): 165,000 Total Viewers (+158 percent) / 27,000 A25-54 (+170 percent)
FBN’s entire slate of programs are up from 2015, with Lou Dobbs Tonight growing triple-digits from 2015, and completing 2016 as the No. 1 business TV show in total viewers.
Each of the network’s programs from 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. delivered highs in their respective timeslots with viewers and A25-54 demo, including Varney & Co, Cavuto Coast to Coast, Intelligence Report, Countdown to the Closing Bell, After the Bell, Risk & Reward, Making Money with Charles Payne, Lou Dobbs Tonight, Kennedy, Stossel and Wall Street Week.
This year, FBN delivered its second-most-watched telecast since its 2007 launch in the form of the first Republican presidential primary debate of 2016. Moderated by Maria Bartiromo and Neil Cavuto, the debate delivered 11 million viewers and three million in the A25-54 demo.
Additionally, FBN delivered the network’s highest-rated election night with 1 million viewers and 215,000 in the A25-54 demo.