Fox News’ Royal Wedding Coverage Most-Watched In Cable News, CNN Tops Demo

The ratings are in for Saturday’s Royal Wedding between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. And both Fox News and CNN can claim victory.

According to Nielsen, Fox News led the cable news network in total viewership with 2.036 million over the 6 AM to 10 AM time slot. FNC finished second in the key 25-54 demographic, averaging 447,000 viewers during the four-hour period.

CNN came out on top in the demographic (601,000) while finishing second in total viewers (1.764 million). MSNBC attracted an overall audience of 987,000 and 243,000 in the demo.

CNN’s live coverage of the event was anchored by Anderson Cooper, Alisyn Camerota and Don Lemon. Fox News had Shepard Smith and Sandra Smith co-anchoring their coverage with Fox & Friends co-host Ainsley Earhardt live from the scene in Windsor. MSNBC utilized Joy Reid, Katy Tur and Stephanie Ruhle for its coverage of the nuptials.

During the 7 AM hour, CNN drew 650,000 in the key demo compared to Fox’s 416,000. The two networks were neck-and-neck in viewers overall, with Fox News edging CNN out 1.969 million to 1.922 million.

CNN also replayed the wedding in the primetime 8 PM to 11 PM time slot, topping both the demo (465,000) and total viewership (1.625 million). Fox News narrowly placed second in total viewers (1.621 million) during the timeframe and drew 270,000 in the 25-54 demographic. MSNBC captured a total audience of 531,000 and 133,000 in the demographic.

For the entire day, CNN led cable news in total viewers (1.5 million) and the demo (460,000). Fox News came in second with 256,000 in the 25-54 demo and 1.234 million viewers overall. MSNBC pulled in a total audience of 709,000 and 174,000 in the demo.