#USA #New York #Gutfeld! #FOX News Channel #Hannity

FOX News Channel Dominates Ratings in Third Quarter 2025

In a noteworthy achievement, FOX News Channel (FNC) has solidified its standing in the television landscape, surpassing competitors CBS and ABC during the third quarter of 2025. According to Nielsen ratings, FNC led in total viewers for weekday primetime, drawing an impressive average of 3.3 million viewers year-to-date, ahead of both CBS and ABC, which tied at 3.1 million viewers each, while NBC trailed with 3 million.

Key Ratings Highlights

The third quarter of 2025 marks the third highest viewership quarter in FNC's history, with a total audience of 2,934,000 viewers and 299,000 in the coveted 25-54 demographic in primetime. This achievement is particularly remarkable as FNC celebrates 95 consecutive quarters as the top choice in cable news for primetime viewership.

In stark contrast, CNN and MSNBC faced significant ratings declines, with CNN recording its lowest-rated quarter in network history, particularly among the 25-54 demographic, while MSNBC experienced its own historical low ratings dating back to 1997.

Program Performance

Several FNC programs have contributed significantly to this success. "Hannity," for example, emerged as the number one program in September 2025 for the 25-54 demographic, with a remarkable 391,000 viewers. In primetime, Jesse Watters Primetime led with 3.5 million viewers, further solidifying FOX's dominance in the competitive arena of cable news. Late-night host "Gutfeld!" continued to break records, drawing 2.9 million viewers and outperforming traditional late-night shows like Jimmy Kimmel Live and The Tonight Show across the board.

Programs such as "The Five" have also made history, becoming the most-watched cable news program for 16 consecutive quarters. The show attracted 3.7 million viewers, surpassing the audience of notable sporting events, including the Ryder Cup and the U.S. Open Finals.

Audience Dominance

FNC's total viewership for the third quarter reached a remarkable 1.6 million viewers, claiming more than half of the cable news viewership market share. In primetime alone, the channel secured 2.5 million viewers and dominated the overall audience share at 64% in total day and 65% in weekday primetime.

The channel's growth is further evidenced by its recent ratings in September, where it bettered CBS for both weekday and overall primetime viewership, averaging 1.6 million viewers for the total day. Notably, FNC's performance reflects a year-over-year increase of 13%, as well as a month-to-month growth of 12%.

Competitive Landscape

Throughout the third quarter, FNC demonstrated its competitive strength by outperforming every major broadcast network across numerous time slots. Noteworthy programs included "Special Report with Bret Baier" at 6 PM/ET and various daytime shows that not only attracted larger audiences compared to their CBS and NBC counterparts but also excelled among the highly lucrative Hispanic and Asian viewer demographics.

Fox's leading morning show, "FOX & Friends," continued to harness significant viewership, drawing over 1.3 million viewers and leading against competitors such as GMA3.

As FNC maintains its lead in the cable news sector, it is crucial to monitor changes in audience preferences and the ongoing developments within competitor networks, as the landscape of television continues to evolve.

In conclusion, FOX News Channel's impressive ratings success in the third quarter reflects its ability to attract and retain viewers across various demographics and time slots. With significant programming highlights and a strong performance against competitors, FNC has reaffirmed its position as a powerhouse in the realm of television news.