Each of the big three cable newsers were among the top 5 basic cable networks for the week of Jan. 7.
Per live-plus-same-day data from Nielsen, Fox News was the top basic cable network across the 24-hour day in total viewers, the No. 2 network across cable in prime time, and the No. 1 cable news network.
In total day, FNC garnered 1,387,000 total viewers and 269,000 in the 25-54 demo. In prime time, FNC averaged 2.5 million total viewers and 463,000 in the 25-54 demographic. FNC also claimed 8 of the top 25 telecasts overall in total viewers, including presentations of Hannity, Tucker Carlson Tonight, The Ingraham Angle and The Five. Additionally, Justice with Judge Jeanine was the most-watched program in cable news Saturday night with 1,760,000 total viewers, while Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo was the No. 1 program in cable news on Sunday with 1,360,000 total viewers.
Compared to the same week a year ago, Fox News posted growth in prime time (+13 percent in total viewers / +8 percent in the prime time demo), but lost viewers across across the 24-hour day (-1 percent in total day viewers / -8 percent in the total day demo).
MSNBC ranked No. 3 in total prime time viewers, and No. 2 in total day viewers across basic cable this past week. The network’s 2.19 million viewer average in prime is +10 percent versus what averaged during the same week in 2018. Unfortunately for MSNBC, the network continues to lose traction among younger viewers. The network was -14 percent in the A25-54 demo, year-over-year.
CNN had a very solid week. The network posted year-over-year audience growth in all relevant categories, including total prime time viewers (+39 percent), the prime time demo (+22 percent), total day viewers (+19 percent) and the total day demo (+4 percent).
Cable News Ratings (Total Viewers)
- FNC ranked No. 2 in prime time (2,502,000) and No.1 in total day (1,387,000)
- MSNBC ranked No.3 in primetime (2,186,000) and No. 2 in total day (1,205,000)
- CNN ranked No.4 in prime time (1,339,000) and No. 4 in total day (832,000)
Cable News Ratings (A25-54)
- FNC – Prime time (463,000) and Total Day (269,000)
- CNN – Prime time (403,000) and Total Day (239,000)
- MSNBC – Prime time (377,000) and Total Day (205,000)
Basic Cable Top 10 (Prime Time)
- ESPN (4,275,000)
- Fox News (2,502,000)
- MSNBC (2,186,000)
- CNN (1,339,000)
- HGTV (1,330,000)
- Hallmark Channel (1,294,000)
- USA (1,188,000)
- History (1,108,000)
- TLC (1,052,000)
- Discovery (1,050,000)
Basic Cable Top 10 (Total Day – 6 a.m. – 6 a.m.)
- Fox News (1,387,000)
- MSNBC (1,205,000)
- ESPN (1,203,000)
- CNN (832,000)
- Nickelodeon (793,000)
- HGTV (755,000)
- Hallmark Channel (737,000)
- Investigation Discovery (731,000)
- USA (620,000)
- Food Network (605,000)
Business News Ratings (Jan. 7 through Jan. 11)
Business Day (9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
- FBN: 200,000 total viewers and 20,000 A25-54
- CNBC: 198,000 total viewers and 34,000 A25-54
Market Hours (9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
- FBN: 201,000 total viewers and 20,000 A25-54
- CNBC: 199,000 total viewers and 35,000 A25-54
Lastly, the three most-watched business news shows for the week were Lou Dobbs Tonight (349,000 viewers), Varney & Co. (247,000) and Trish Regan Prime Time (214,000).