Fox News was No. 1 in April 2018, which means it is officially the most-watched cable news network among total viewers for 196 consecutive months. The network averaged 2.4 million total prime time viewers in April, which is No.1 not just for cable news, but No. 1 across all of basic cable. FNC also averaged nearly 1.4 million viewers across total day, again No. 1 across cable. Fox News has been No. 1 in total day viewers for 22 consecutive months.
Compared to April of last year, FNC was -2 percent in total prime time viewers, -1 percent in the prime time demo, -7 percent in total day viewers, and -11 percent in the total day demo this past month.
At this time last year, Fox News was in utter turmoil and had fired the face of their network: Bill O’Reilly; but it’s still maintaining its spot at the top of the cable heap (among total viewers).
The average Nielsen live + same day impressions for April 2018:
- Prime time (Mon-Sun): 2,390,000 total viewers / 483,000 A25-54
- Total Day (Mon-Sun): 1,396,000 total viewers / 289,000 A25-54
Fox News claimed 15 of the top 25 cable news shows in total viewers and in the 25-54 demo for April.
Sean Hannity led the charge for Fox News, and he was No. 1 across all of cable news in total viewers, and among adults 25-54. Rachel Maddow in second.
In addition to maintaining his title of “No. 1 cable news host,” Hannity’s April was eventful, and included getting into a Twitter fight with late night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, and having his name spoken aloud during a court hearing as part of an FBI investigation into Pres. Trump’s personal lawyer Michael Cohen. Hannity, like Trump, was named as a client of Cohen’s.
Tucker Carlson Tonight dominated cable news in the 8 p.m. hour, which should be a surprise to no one, while Laura Ingraham won her hour despite taking a vacation during the first week of the month. Ingraham averaged 541,000 adults 25-54 in April, a program monthly record.
Last but not least, Fox & Friends marked 198 months as the most-watched cable news morning show with an average of 1.5 million in total viewers and 334,000 in the 25-54 demo.
FBN
Per Nielsen data, Fox Business notched its 11th consecutive month as the most-watched business news network, and scored the top four most-watched programs on business news. Lou Dobbs once again led the way. With his April 2018, win, his eponymous show Lou Dobbs Tonight has now been the most-watched business news show for 24 straight months. Plus, Varney & Co. remained the most-watched market program for the 21st straight month, and Maria Bartiromo beat her morning competition.
Business Day:
FBN: 229,000 total viewers / 29,000 A25-54
CNBC: 182,000 total viewers / 33,000 A25-54
Total Day:
FBN: 158,000 total viewers / 21,000 A25-54
CNBC: 153,000 total viewers / 44,000 A25-54