For the month of Nov. 2019, Fox News was the most-watched network on basic cable during the 6 a.m. – 6 a.m. total day interval, and the 2nd-most-watched in prime time. This is according to live-plus-same-day Nielsen data.
Fox News averaged 1.59 million total viewers across total day (+8% vs. Nov. 2018), No. 1 across basic cable for the 41st consecutive month. The network was carried by its top-rated coverage of the impeachment hearings earlier this month. FNC also averaged 2.78 million total viewers during prime time, which represents +14% growth compared with the midterm election month of Nov. 2018.
That said, the network continues to post year-over-year losses among younger news viewers. Among adults 25-54, Fox News was -12% in prime time and -11% in total day this month compared to Nov. 2018. Elections tend to attract younger viewers, as we noted in our CNN post. Perhaps we’ll see year-over-year growth in the demo at this time next year (one would hope, considering Nov. 2020 features a presidential election).
The ratings for Nov. 2019 (Nielsen Live + Same Day data):
- Prime time (Mon-Sun): 2,779,000 total viewers / 420,000 A25-54
- Total Day (Mon-Sun): 1,592,000 total viewers / 260,000 A25-54
Hannity remained the top program on cable news in average total viewers and among the 25-54 demographic. Both Hannity and Tucker Carlson Tonight had their most-watched months ever. Not a bad November.
FNC’s morning show Fox & Friends marked 217 months as the No. 1 cable news morning show in total viewers.
FNC’s early evening and prime time programming delivered yearly highs for the month of November, and won their respective timeslots. The Five delivered an average of 3 million viewers and 454,000 in the demo, No. 1 in its time slot. Special Report with Bret Baier averaged 2.6 million viewers and 418,000 in the 25-54 demo. The Story with Martha MacCallum at 7 p.m. delivered 2.3 million viewers and 376,000 with A25-54.
At 8 p.m. ET, Tucker Carlson Tonight delivered its highest-rated month in program history with 3.4 million viewers and 551,000 in the 25-54 category, No. 2 in all of cable news. Having some Trump rallies take place during his hour (Fox News’ decision to show said rallies) didn’t exactly hurt his ratings either.
At 10 p.m., Laura Ingraham‘s and The Ingraham Angle beat CNN and MSNBC across the board.
On Saturdays, Fox News’ opinion slate of Watters World, Justice with Judge Jeanine and Greg Gutfeld Show won their respective hours across the board. On Sundays, media analysis program MediaBuzz hosted by Howie Kurtz beat the 11 a.m. ET cable news competition in total viewers and adults 25-54.