The Top Cable Networks of January 2017

By A.J. Katz 

Per Nielsen data, Fox News was the No. 2 basic cable network in prime time this past month, finishing second behind ESPN. The network posted +35 percent growth in total prime time viewers and +46 percent growth in the prime time demo relative to January 2016. HGTV, USA, Discovery, TBS, History, Investigation Discovery, CNN and MSNBC round out basic cable’s prime time top 10.

FNC was the No.1 cable network in total day viewers this past month, primarily thanks to its inauguration day coverage, co-anchored by Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum. ESPN ranked No. 2 in total day viewers, followed by Nickelodeon, HGTV, Adult Swim, Investigation Discovery, USA, CNN, Nick-at-Nite and Cartoon Network.

Fox News has now been the No. 1 cable news channel for 15 consecutive years, and grew +45 percent in total day viewers from January 2016.

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CNN (No. 9) and MSNBC (No. 10) made their way into the prime time top 10. CNN grew +38 percent in prime time viewers from January 2016, while MSNBC grew +61 percent. CNN ranked No. 8 in total day viewers, and MSNBC ranked No. 13.

HLN ranked No. 45 in total prime time viewers this past month, and was -3 percent from January 2016. The network ranked No. 35 in total day viewers, and was -5 percent from January 2016.

CNBC ranked No. 47 in total prime time viewers, and was -23 percent from January 2016. The network ranked No. 57 in total day viewers, and was -11 percent from January 2016.

Fox Business ranked No. 81 in total prime time viewers, and was -64 percent from January 2016. The network televised a GOP debate that month in prime time, which obviously skewed ratings. FBN ranked No. 60 in total day viewers, and was -3 percent from January 2016.

Cable Network Ranker: January 2017 (Total Viewers)

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