During the week of May 16, Fox News Channel became the most viewed basic cable channel overall and the third-most-viewed in primetime. For the 45th week in a row, the television news powerhouse had more total primetime viewership than CNN and MSNBC combined.
As according to Nielsen live-plus-same-day data, Fox News had 2.29 million total watchers in primetime this past week, ranking third behind TNT and ESPN, who were broadcasting the NBA and NHL playoffs, and up 3% from the previous week (May 9). In primetime, Fox News averaged 350,000 people 25-54, up 6% from the previous week and third behind playoff-carrying TNT (1.335 million) and ESPN (1.09 million)
In terms of the total day, Fox News attracted 1.475 million total views in the 6 a.m. daypart during the week of May 16, up 1% over the previous week. In total day, FNC averaged 222,000 adults 25-54, ranking third on basic television behind ESPN (364,000) and TNT (359,000), which is consistent with the previous week.
CNN and MSNBC keep struggling with ratings, at least according to their own standards.
MSNBC ranked fourth on cable in total primetime watchers last week, falling short of a million (910,000) for the third week in a row. MSNBC had not recorded fewer than 1 million primetime views in a week (outside of holiday periods) since the week of May 2. The network’s primetime viewer average of 910,000 viewers is down 7% from the previous week’s figure, the report said.
Last week, MSNBC attracted 603,000 total day viewers, ranking fourth on basic cable and down 3% from the previous week. MSNBC averaged 90,000 adults 25-54 in primetime this week, down 6% from the previous week, and 66,000 adults 25-54 in total day, down 3% from the previous week.
CNN, on the other hand, attracted 597,000 total views in primetime last week, down 1% from the week before. In primetime, CNN’s A25-54 audience fell 8% from the previous week. CNN also saw a 4% drop in overall viewers (466,000) and a 4% drop in the key demo on the day (95,000).
How did the “big three” of television news do in comparison to the same week in 2021? (Week 17 of May) Fox News increased its total average of primetime views by 9% and its primetime demo by 4%. The news was even better in the whole day daypart from 6 a.m. to 6 a.m., when the network gained +27 percent in total views and +13 percent in the entire day demo. CNN and MSNBC, which were making Fox run for the cash at this period last year, are still losing viewers compared to the previous week.
Things look great for Fox News as Sean Hannity broke a major record held by Larry King, as we previously reported:
Fox News issued a press release on Sean Hannity breaking a major milestone record previously held by the legendary Larry King.
FOX NEWS CHANNEL’S SEAN HANNITY BECOMES LONGEST-RUNNING PRIMETIME CABLE NEWS HOST IN TELEVISION HISTORY
Hannity Breaks Record Previously Held by the Late Legend Larry King
NEW YORK – FOX News Channel’s (FNC) Sean Hannity has notched yet another industry milestone, becoming the longest-running primetime cable news host in television history. Today marks 25 consecutive years, six months, and 15 days at the helm of a primetime cable news program, breaking the previous longstanding record* held by the late talk show host Larry King. As cable news’ most enduring personality, Hannity has been a staple of FNC’s primetime lineup since the launch of the network in 1996, where his candid style and passionate commentary have made him one of the most prominent and influential voices in the country.
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