New week, same result. Fox News Channel is the No. 1 basic cable outlet in average total viewers and among adults 25-54, both in total day and also in primetime, for the third consecutive week.
The week beginning July 11, 2022 also marks the 74th consecutive week that Fox News averaged more total viewers in total day and primetime than its cable news competition.
According to live plus same day data from Nielsen, FNC averaged 2.18 million total viewers in primetime this past week, No. 1 on basic cable and +11% from the July 4 holiday week. FNC also averaged 311,000 adults 25-54 in primetime, No. 1 on basic cable—and +8% from the week prior. Moving to total day, Fox News’ 1.37 million total viewer average is No. 1 on basic cable—and +4% from the network posted in the daypart the previous week. FNC also averaged 202,000 adults 25-54 in total day, No. 1 on basic cable—and +2% with the prior week.
After multiple weeks of primetime viewer growth, CNN saw a decline this past week. The network hauled in an average of 660,000 total viewers in primetime during the week of July 11. That places CNN at No. 10 on basic cable and No. 3 on cable news—and down -6% from the week prior. CNN’s A25-54 viewership in primetime (146,000) ranks No. 20 on basic cable—and is also down from the prior week (-4%), although more A25-54 viewers than what MSNBC averaged in the daypart.
CNN lost traction in primetime, but it improved in other dayparts, including total day. The network averaged 564,000 total viewers in Monday-Sunday 6 a.m.-6 a.m., which is +5% from the prior week. The network jumped to No. 3 on basic cable in total day viewers. CNN also moved into the top 10 among adults 25-54 in total day (No. 8). Its 113,000 average in the daypart is +2% from the prior week.
MSNBC saw the most week-to-week growth. It returned to being the second-most-watched network on basic cable after what had been a rough July 4 holiday week. The network averaged 1.31 million in primetime this past week, after drawing 982,000 in primetime the week prior. That’s a gain of +33%. MSNBC averaged 132,000 adults 25-54 in primetime, No. 23 on basic cable—and +43% from the prior week. In total day, the network averaged 824,000 total viewers in total day this past week, No. 2 on basic cable—and +24% from the prior week. MSNBC also averaged 89,000 adults 25-54 in total day, which is +22% from the prior week—and No. 16 overall on basic cable.
How did cable news’ “big three” fare relative to the same week in 2021? (Week of July 12). The results are mixed. Fox News gained less than +1% in average total primetime viewers and +15% in total day viewers. On the other hand, the network did lose some adults 25-54, -11% in the primetime demo—and -3% in the total day demo. CNN, on the other hand, shed -21% in total primetime viewers, -16% in the primetime demo, as it continues to lack a permanent 9 p.m. weekday host. The network also shed -2% in total day viewers and -5% in the total day demo vs. the comparable week last year. MSNBC shed -1% in total primetime viewers, -20% in the primetime demo, gained +6% in total day total viewers—and was down by -10% among adults 25-54 in total day vs. the year-ago week.
Week of July 11 cable news ratings, Monday-Sunday (Nielsen live-same-day data):
| PRIME TIME | Fox News | MSNBC | CNN |
|---|---|---|---|
| • Total Viewers: | 2,176,000 | 1,309,000 | 660,000 |
| • A25-54: | 311,000 | 132,000 | 146,000 |
| TOTAL DAY | Fox News | MSNBC | CNN |
|---|---|---|---|
| • Total Viewers: | 1,366,000 | 824,000 | 564,000 |
| • A25-54: | 202,000 | 89,000 | 113,000 |
On the programming front, Fox News’ The Five was the most-watched show of the week (3.14 million at 5 p.m.) and the second-most-watched among adults 25-54 (398,000) at 8 p.m. Tucker Carlson Tonight came in second in total viewers (3.12 million at 8 p.m.) and No. 1 among adults 25-54 (493,000). Jesse Watters Primetime took third place in average total viewers (2.645 million at 7 p.m.), followed by Hannity (2.51 million at 9 p.m.) and MSNBC’s weekly The Rachel Maddow Show rounding out the top five with 2.395 million total viewers on Monday, July 11.
Special Report with Bret Baier (2.24 million at 6 p.m.), The Ingraham Angle (2.09 million at 10 p.m.), Gutfeld! (1.88 million at 11 p.m.), Outnumbered (1.76 million at 12 p.m.), and MSNBC’s Deadline: White House with Nicolle Wallace (1.56 million from 4-6 p.m.) round out cable news’ 10-most-watched for the week.