Fox News was basic cable’s most-watched network in total day for a second consecutive week, topping TNT, Nickelodeon and Adult Swim. Its 1.2 million total viewer average during the daypart is a 4 percent improvement from the previous week, and 24 percent improvement from the comparable week in 2015.
FNC maintained the No. 2 spot in total prime time viewers this past week with an average of 2.3 million, behind only an NBA playoff- heavy TNT. ESPN, USA and HGTV in basic cable. The 2.3 million total viewer average is a 13 percent improvement from the previous week, and a 46 percent improvement from the comparable week in 2015.
Fox News’ coverage of the Indiana primary on May 3 topped cable news in both viewers and the demo with an average of 4.3 million viewers and 1.1 million in the demo from 8-10 p.m. ET. Tuesday’s edition of The Kelly File which saw Donald Trump speak after his primary win, was the second-most-watched program in basic cable last week behind only HBO’s Game of Thrones.
CNN ranked No. 10 in total prime time viewers last week (1.04 million). The 1.04 million average in prime time is a 16 percent decline from the previous week, but a whopping 158 percent improvement from the comparable week in 2015, when it only averaged 405,000 total viewers. CNN finished No. 11 in total day (645,000) this past week. The 645,000 is a 3 percent decline from the previous week but an 82 percent improvement from the comparable week in 2015.
MSNBC ranked No. 13 in total prime time viewers (923,000) and No. 16 in total day (516,000) this past week. The 923,000 is a 7 percent improvement from the previous week and a 105 percent improvement from the comparable week in 2015. The 516,000 average in total day is a 6 percent improvement from the previous week and an 11 percent improvement from the comparable week in 2015.
Cable news continues to thrive in 2016.
Lastly, Fox Business’ Varney & Company defeated CNBC in total viewers for the second straight week.
Basic Cable Ranker: Week of May 2, 2016 (Total Viewers)