Q2 ’18 Ratings: Fox News Is Basic Cable’s Most-Watched Network For 8 Straight Quarters

By A.J. Katz 

Cable news fans continue to flock to Fox News, as the network continued its reign atop the basic cable landscape as the most-watched basic cable network in total day for the 2nd quarter of 2018. With Q2 now in the books, FNC has been No. 1 basic cable network across the 24-hour-day for 8 straight quarters, per Nielsen live-plus-same-day data, and is now cable news’ most-watched network for a whopping 66 consecutive quarters.

Below are the network’s average live+ same day impressions for Q2 2018 (Nielsen live-same-day data):

  • Prime time (Mon-Sun):  2,447,000 total viewers /  480,000 A25-54
  • Total Day (Mon-Sun):  1,409,000 total viewers /  286,000 A25-54

During 2Q ’18, FNC averaged 1,409,000 million in total viewers, which, while No. 1 overall, is -4 percent from its Q2 2017 delivery. The network also delivered 286,000 with A25-54 in total day, which is -9 percent compared to Q2 2017.

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In prime time, however, the trend is better. The network delivered 2,447,000 in total viewers, which is +4 percent from its Q2 2017 delivery, and 480,000 in the 25-54 demo, which is +2 percent from last year.

FNC also bested MSNBC and CNN in both prime time and total day in total viewers and A25-54.

Additionally, the network claimed 10 of the top 15 cable news programs in total viewers, and 8 of the top 15 in the 25-54 demo for Q2 2018. FNC’s evening and prime time programs were among the top 4 shows in total viewers including, Hannity as the No. 1 program in all of cable news with 3,368,000 total viewers and 685,000 in the 25-54 demo. Hannity also delivered a program high in both categories since returning to the 9 p.m. time slot (Sept. 25, 2017).

Tucker Carlson Tonight boasted 2,697,000 in total viewers and 541,000 in the 25-54 demo. The Ingraham Angle delivered 2,654,000 in total viewers and 544,000 in the 25-54 demo, the program’s most-watched month since launch (Oct. 30, 2017).

Then there’s the go-to morning show for President Trump, and millions of other Americans: Fox & Friends. FNC’s morning show marked 200 consecutive months as the most-watched morning show in cable news with 1,548,000 in total viewers and 329,000 in the demo.

Here’s how Fox News stacked up against other basic cable networks in Q2 2018. The ranker below is sorted by total viewers:

Basic cable ranker: Q2 2018 (Total Viewers)

 

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