Fox News’ Kavanaugh Interview Tops Monday’s Cable News Ratings With 3.6 Million Viewers

Fox News scored an exclusive interview with Brett Kavanaugh on Monday in which the Supreme Court nominee unequivocally denied the allegations of sexual misconduct brought against him by two women. The newsmaking interview by host Martha MacCallum, which aired during the 7 PM hour, ended up leading cable news in total viewership on Tuesday. Meanwhile, MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show came out on top in the key 25-54 demographic.

According to Nielsen, Fox News led across the board during the primetime 8 PM to 11 PM time slot by averaging 2.999 million total viewers and 553,000 in the demo. MSNBC pulled in 482,000 demo viewers and a total audience of 2.426 million viewers overall. CNN drew 945,000 viewers overall and 305,000 in the key demographic.

During the daytime 9 AM and 5 PM hours, Fox News placed first in both the demo (292,000) and total viewership (1.699 million). CNN captured 225,000 demo viewers and 853,000 viewers overall. MSNBC nabbed a total audience of 1.232 million and 202,000 in the key demo.

The MacCallum/Kavanaugh interview drew a total viewership of 3.559 million and finished third overall in the demo with 610,000. Fox’s Hannity placed second in total viewers (3.275 million) and fourth in the demographic (575,000).

MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show led cable news in the demo (660,000) and finished fourth in total viewership with 3.117 million. Fox’s Tucker Carlson Tonight placed third in overall audience (3.205 million) and second in the demographic (626,000).

The top-rated program for CNN was Cuomo Prime Time, which drew 1.034 million total viewers and 331,000 in the demo.