Fox News Marks 21st Consecutive Week As Most-Watched Basic Cable Network

For the week of May 28th through June 3rd, Fox News was the most-watched basic cable channel for the 21st straight week. Besides leading all of cable in both total day and primetime total viewership, the network placed in the top 10 in the key 25-54 demographic.

According to Nielsen, FNC averaged 2.203 million total viewers and 412,000 in the key demo during the 8 PM to 11 PM primetime slot, placing ninth among basic cable channels in the demo. MSNBC was second in cable news and fourth in all of cable with 1.484 million viewers overall. CNN, meanwhile, finished third in cable news and 16th in basic cable with 750,000 total viewers.

In total day, Fox News captured 1.32 million viewers overall and 259,000 in the demo, coming in fifth place in the demographic among cable channels. MSNBC was second in cable news and fifth in basic cable in total viewership (832,000). CNN attracted a total audience of 568,000, which was good for tenth place in basic cable.

Fox News’ Hannity was the top-rated cable news program of the week, leading the way in both total viewers (3.066 million) and the 25-54 demo (600,000). Fox’s Tucker Carlson Tonight was second overall in cable news in total audience (2.634 million) and the demo (535,000). FNC’s The Ingraham Angle placed third in the demographic (511,000) and total viewership (2.561 million).

The most-watched non-Fox cable news program was MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show, which finished fourth in total viewers (2.52 million) and fifth in the key demo (490,000).

During the business week, Fox Business was the top-rated business channel, averaging 169,000 total viewers during the business day and 172,000 in market hours.