The three-most-watched basic cable networks in total day for the week of January 14 were all of the cable news variety.
Fox News Channel was the most-watched basic cable network not only in total day, but also in prime time, averaging 2.27 million prime time viewers, and 1.4 million total day viewers.
The network averaged 387,000 adults 25-54 during prime time, and 254,000 adults 25-54 across total day, per live-plus-same-day data from Nielsen.
FNC also claimed 13 of the top 25 telecasts overall in total viewers, including presentations of Hannity, Tucker Carlson Tonight, The Five and The Ingraham Angle. Saturday’s edition of America’s News HQ (4 p.m. ET) was also the most-watched cable telecast for the entire week, which included Pres. Trump’s remarks with 3.8 million total viewers.
Yes, Fox News beat its competition in the relevant categories, but it posted losses vs. the comparable week last year of -17 percent in total prime time viewers, -12 percent in total day viewers, -28 percent in the prime time demo, and -25 percent in the total day demo.
MSNBC was the second-most-watched basic cable network for the week. NBCU’s politics-focused cable network was +3 percent in total prime time viewers, and +10 percent in total day viewers. Year-over-year total audience growth is always good, but the network continues to lose younger viewers. This past week, MSNBC was -15 percent in the prime time demo, and -14 percent in the total day demo vs. last year.
CNN had a very solid week, finishing No. 7 among all basic cable networks in total prime time viewers (+10 percent year-over-year), and No. 3 among all basic cable networks in total day viewers (+3 percent year-over-year). Similar to its competition, CNN posted year-over-year losses in the A25-54 demo of -2 percent in prime time, and -12 percent in total day.
Basic cable ranker: Week of Jan. 14 (Total Viewers)
Basic Cable Top 5 – Prime Time (Total Viewers)
- Fox News (2,266,000)
- MSNBC (2,074,000)
- Hallmark Channel (1,356,000)
- HGTV (1,250,000)
- ESPN (1,233,000)
Basic Cable Top 5 – Total Day (Total Viewers)
- Fox News (1,404,000)
- MSNBC (1,198,000)
- CNN (831,000)
- Investigation Discovery (768,000)
- Nickelodeon (768,000)
Cable News Ratings (A25-54)
- Fox News – Prime Time (387,000) and Total Day (254,000)
- MSNBC – Prime Time (377,000) and Total Day (208,000)
- CNN – Prime Time (357,000) and Total Day (238,000)
Moving to business television:
Business Day (9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET)
- FBN: 199,000 total viewers / 19,000 A25-54
- CNBC: 193,000 total viewers / 30,000 A25-54
Market Hours (9:30 a.m. 4 p.m. ET)
- FBN: 200,000 total viewers / 19,000 A25-54
- CNBC: 194,000 total viewers / 30,000 A25-54
Ratings for the top four business programs (total viewers):
- Lou Dobbs Tonight (361,000)
- Varney & Co. (237,000)
- Countdown to the Closing Bell with Liz Claman (217,000)
- Trish Regan Prime Time (202,000)