Fox News continues to rule the cable news landscape, proving to be a relentless foe to CNN and MSNBC. Fox News now marks 69 consecutive quarters as the most-watched cable news network daylong and through the critical prime-time hours, according to Nielsen Media Research. That is exactly 17 years and three months.
In addition, Fox News also has won the much-coveted 25- to 54-year-old demographic during those prime-time hours for 44 quarters in a row — which is 11 years.
Non-news rivals such as HGTV and ESPN also have been dominated by Fox News, which has led the ratings during the day and through prime time across the entire cable realm for 11 consecutive quarters, or almost three years.
The network’s victories are consistent and promising. Compared to a year ago, Fox News prime-time ratings are up 11 percent while CNN’s ratings fell by 11 percent. MSNBC’s ratings dropped 3 percent during the last 12 months.
During daytime viewing hours, Fox News audience numbers rose by 7 percent, MSNBC got a bump of 1 percent, and CNN’s fell by 11 percent.
How many viewers typically tune in? In March, Fox News drew 2.5 million primetime viewers while MSNBC had 1.8 million and CNN 921,000.
Nielsen numbers also reveal the individual stars of cable news.
In first place for the month of March was “The Sean Hannity Show,” with 3.1 million viewers, followed by “Tucker Carlson Tonight” (3 million), “The Rachel Maddow Show “(2.8 million), “The Five” (2.53 million) and “The Ingraham Angle” (2.51 million).
Things are also positive for Fox Business Network, which remains the top rated business network on television for the 10th consecutive quarter, according to Nielsen.
Their lineup continues to attract very affluent audiences with “Mornings with Maria,” “Cavuto Coast to Coast,” “Making Money,” and “Bulls & Bears” pulling the highest median income across the 25-54 demographic. Fox Business also claims the top two programs on business television, with “Lou Dobbs Tonight” and “Varney and Co.” placing first and second on the business television ranker.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.
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