As business and policy continues to intersect, Fox Business Network continues to see its audience grow.
2018 was FBN’s most-watched year across Business Day (9:30 – 5 p.m. ET). The network -which launched in 2007- averaged 213,000 total viewers in the daypart in 2018, which is +8 percent vs. 2017.
“Throughout this past year, Fox Business has once again provided viewers exceptional analysis and insight on how tax, trade and economic policy impact their families and wallets,” Fox Business president Brian Jones said in a statement. “With headline-making journalists covering the longest bull market in history, ongoing international trade discussions, and breaking financial news, the experienced anchors, reporters and producers at FBN continued to prove their dominance in the buiness television landscape.”
In total day (6 a.m. – 6 a.m.), the network averaged 149,000 total viewers, which represents +3 percent growth vs. 2017.
But not all was rosy for FBN, ratings-wise. The network remained steady or posted losses in the younger news demos from 2017, which is similar to what parent network Fox News Channel experienced. The year-over-year declines among adults 25-54 were the most severe during post-market hours (-14 percent).
Below are business news ratings for 2018, per Nielsen data.
Business Day (9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET)
- FBN: 213,000 total viewers (+8 percent) / 25,000 A25-54 (FLAT)
- CNBC: 177,000 (+5 percent) / 32,000 A25-54 (+3 percent)
Total Day (6 a.m. – 6 a.m. ET)
- FBN: 149,000 total viewers (+3 percent) / 19,000 A25-54 (-5 percent)
- CNBC: 155,000 total viewers (-1 percent) / 45,000 A25-54 (-12 percent)
Post Market (5 – 8 p.m. ET)
- FBN: 215,000 total viewers (-1 percent) / 24,000 A25-54 (-14 percent)
- CNBC: 162,000 total viewers / 49,000 A25-54 (+11 percent)
The network’s pre-market program Mornings with Maria (hosted by Maria Bartiromo) posted an increase of +21 percent in total viewers vs. 2017, and was the most-watched business news program in its time period for the first time in its history.
Varney & Co. was the most-watched business show in its time period for the second consecutive year, averaging 264,000 in 2018; a +10 percent increase from 2017. The program also delivered 32,000 A25-54 viewers, which is +14 percent from the prior year.
Cavuto: Coast to Coast, and Countdown to the Closing Bell with Liz Claman won their respective hours in total viewers for the second consecutive year.
Lou Dobbs Tonight was the most-watched show on business TV for the third consecutive year, averaging 343,000 total viewers. That’s –1 percent vs. 2017.