Fox News Channel extended its extraordinary ratings streak through the month of May. The network is finishing this month as the No. 1 basic cable network in total viewers across the 6 a.m. – 6 a.m. time period, marking 35 consecutive months as most-watched in the daypart. FNC is finishing in second place across basic cable in prime time, finishing behind TNT and its highly-rated NBA Playoffs broadcasts.
The network also marked 209 consecutive months as the No. 1 cable news network in total viewers, finishing way ahead of CNN, MSNBC, and the rest of the pack.
Compared with what the network averaged in May 2018, Fox News was flat in total prime time viewers, and -4% in total day viewers. However, the story was different among Adults 25-54. Yes, Fox beat its CNN and MSNBC competition in the demo handily, but the network was -18% in prime time and -17% in total day among the age group.
The average Nielsen live + same day impressions for May 2019:
- Prime time (Mon-Sun): 2,388,000 total viewers / 377,000 A25-54
- Total Day (Mon-Sun): 1,342,000 total viewers / 231,000 A25-54
On the programming front – Hannity and Tucker Carlson Tonight were the top two cable news programs for the month of May, finishing ahead of MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow Show. Maddow delivered her least-watched month since President Trump came into office.
The Ingraham Angle and The Five rounded out the top five cable news programs of the month in both total viewers and in the 25-54 demo.
Fox News @ Night with Shannon Bream beat MSNBC’s The 11th Hour with Brian Williams in the demo.
Lastly, Fox & Friends won May in its time period, marking 211 consecutive months as the most-watched morning show on cable news.