#USA #New York #FOX News #Cable News #Primetime Ratings

FOX News Channel Dominates Primetime Ratings

In an impressive display of viewership strength, FOX News Channel (FNC) finished the month of July as the number one television network, outperforming all competitors in primetime ratings. According to recent data from Nielsen Media Research, FNC averaged 2.4 million viewers during primetime, clearly leading over NBC, CBS, and ABC.

This achievement reinforces FNC's status as a powerhouse in the television ratings environment, especially as they have consistently led since June 20—coinciding with the start of summer—averaging 2.6 million viewers over the period compared to ABC's 2.3 million, NBC’s 2.1 million, and CBS’ 2 million.

Detailed Viewership Insights

In the primetime slot between 8 PM and 11 PM Eastern Time, FNC not only dominated with 2.4 million viewers but also captured a significant 257,000 viewers in the 25-54 demographic, which is crucial for advertisers. Across the entire day, the network reached 1.5 million viewers and had 184,000 in that same demographic segment.

This impressive reach represents a massive market share for FNC, as they composed 63% of the cable news viewership during the day and 64% during the primetime hours, leaving rivals like CNN and MSNBC trailing badly. Notably, CNN recorded its lowest-rated July in network history, with only 62,000 viewers in the 25-54 age range for total day viewership.

Leading Programs and Notable Shows

Among its various programs, FNC's flagship show The Five stood out spectacularly with 3.5 million viewers, also leading within the 25-54 demographic with 378,000 viewers overall. This program outshined CBS' Big Brother, which drew 3.1 million viewers. FNC's Jesse Watters Primetime also performed strongly with 3.1 million viewers in his time slot, surpassing other broadcast stalwarts.

The network’s late-night sensation, Gutfeld!, has taken the ratings by storm, showing strong growth and averaging 2.9 million viewers. This dominance comes in the wake of CBS announcing the upcoming conclusion of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in 2026, marking a noteworthy shift in late-night television dynamics.

Other successful programs include Hannity, which maintained a strong viewership of 2.7 million, and The Ingraham Angle, which attracted 2.5 million viewers. FNC's nightly newscast Special Report secured over 2.6 million viewers, effectively competing with mainstream evening news broadcasts.

Weekend and Daytime Success

FNC's triumphs were not limited to weekdays, as they achieved significant viewership on weekends as well, winning every hour in ratings. On Saturdays, The Big Weekend Show emerged as the most-watched show in its time slot with 1.5 million viewers. Furthermore, FNC's Sunday Morning Futures ranked as the most viewed weekend program, showcasing their ability to attract audiences throughout the week.

In franchise terms, FNC’s FOX & Friends also continued its reign as the leading cable news program in the mornings, accumulating 1.3 million viewers and outperforming both CNN and MSNBC combined.

The Bigger Picture

With these results, it’s clear that FNC has solidified its position in the cable news landscape once again. Over recent years, the network has consistently led the prime time ratings and maintained viewer loyalty, catering to diverse political affiliations as seen in numerous voter polls.

Thus, FOX News Channel not only leads in viewer numbers but continues to shape discussion and influence public opinion nationally, boasting over 60 million households as part of their viewing audience and regularly ranking as the top news provider for various demographics, further validating their strategies and program choices as effectively engaging and meaningful to viewers.

For media watchers, the question remains: will FNC maintain this commanding lead, or will the evolving landscape of viewer preferences create new challenges on the horizon? Only time will tell, but for now, FNC’s July numbers shine a bright spotlight on its unwavering dominance.