August 2018 Ratings: Fox News Is the No. 1 Cable News Network for 200 Straight Months

By A.J. Katz 

Another month, another ratings win for Fox News Channel.

The network marked a significant milestone in August 2018: 200 consecutive months as the most watched cable news network in both prime time and total day in total viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research.

Additionally, in total day, FNC achieved 26 back-to-back months as the most-watched basic cable network in total viewers, delivering 1.3 million.

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The ratings for August 2018:

  • Prime time (Mon-Sun):  2,299,000 Total Viewers / 422,000 A25-54
  • Total Day (Mon-Sun):  1,299,000 Total Viewers /  252,000 A25-54

Fox News posted +4 percent growth in total prime time viewers vs. its August 2017 delivery. But similar to its rivals, the network lost a chunk of its adults 25-54 audience relative to last year. Perhaps the under-55 crew is getting Trump fatigue? Or maybe the further we get away from the presidential election, the less likely younger demos are to watch cable news. Up for debate.

Whatever the case may be, numbers are still massive for Fox News; they’re down a little bit in some categories vs. last year.

In addition, the network also claimed 12 of the top 20 cable news programs in total viewers and boasted 9 of the top 20 cable news programs in the 25-54 demo. FNC’s prime time programs Hannity, Tucker Carlson Tonight, and The Ingraham Angle were among the top 5 programs in both total viewers and in the 25-54 demographic.

According to Nielsen live-plus-same-day data, Hannity (16 broadcasts) defeated The Rachel Maddow Show (20 broadcasts) in the month of August across the board.

Anyway, back to Fox News. During FNC’s early evening and prime time programming, The Five garnered 2.2 million in total viewers and 393,000 in the demo. Anchored by chief political anchor Bret Baier, Special Report averaged 2 million in total viewers and 378,000 in the 25-54 demo. The Story with Martha MacCallum averaged 1.9 million in total viewers and 370,000 with A25-54.

During the weekends, Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo averaged 1.3 million in total viewers and 233,000 in the demo on Sundays at 10 a.m. ET. MediaBuzz hosted by Howard Kurtz delivered 1.2 million in total viewers and 210,000 in the 25-54 demo, moving him to the lead spot on Sundays at 11 a.m. ET.

Lastly, here are Fox Business’ August 2018 ratings, according to live-plus-same-day data from Nielsen:

Business Day:

  • FBN: 192,000 total viewers / 22,000 A25-54
  • CNBC: 162,000 total viewers / 25,000 A25-54

Total Day:

  • FBN: 140,000 total viewers / 18,000 A25-54
  • CNBC: 137,000 total viewers / 38,000 A25-54

Aug. 2018 Business News Ranker (Total Viewers):

  • Lou Dobbs Tonight (319,000)
  • Varney & Co. (248,000)
  • Countdown to the Closing Bell with Liz Claman (183,000)
  • Squawk on the Street (172,000)
  • After the Bell (164,000)

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