Even primetime (non-news) shows are losing to FOX News Channel.
Yes, that's right. Primetime dramas are losing to FNC. More on that later.
First, let's look at what the network has accomplished in its own market: according to Nielsen Media Research, FNC has been the most-watched news channel for 39 consecutive quarters. Thirty-nine! This includes the overall day ratings and primetime viewership.
Primetime Viewership
FNC: 1,894,000 in viewers (440,000 in 25-54)
MSNBC: 756,000 in viewers (244,000 in 25-54)
CNN: 676,000 in viewers (221,000 in 25-54)
HLN: 669,000 in viewers (189,000 in 25-54)
Total Day
FNC: 1,077,000 in viewers (280,000 in 25-54)
CNN: 475,000 in viewers (158,000 in 25-54)
HLN: 450,000 in viewers (149,000 in 25-54)
MSNBC: 428,000 in viewers (149,000 in 25-54)
And that's just the beginning. FOX News has also:
- Secured the top 12 cable news programs in total viewers. FNC also secured 9 out of the top 10 programs in the 25-54 demo.
- Defeated CNN and MSNBC (combined) in primetime and total day viewers.
- Produced the leading news programs – every FNC program ranked #1 in its timeslot in the P2+ and 25-54 demo; each hour on FNC also surpassed the combined ratings of both CNN and MSNBC.
- Become the fifth most-watched basic cable network during primetime. MSNBC ranked #26, CNN ranked #29, and HLN ranked #30.
- Achieved seventh place among the most-watched cable networks for total day viewers. CNN ranked #27, HLN ranked #29, and MSNBC ranked #32.
- The FOX Report is the #5 ranked program in all of cable news with both the P2+ and 25-54 demo. The show rose 7% in total viewers (1,673,000) and is up 5% in the 25-54 demo (397,000) over the same time period last year
- Red Eye achieved its highest quarter ever in 3Q'11 with both the P2+ and 25-54 demo.
- FOX & Friends has posted year-to-year growth (up 9% in 25-54; up 4% in P2+). By comparison, CNN's American Morning is down 7% in P2+ and down 3% in the 25-54 demo.
- FNC commands the top five cable news programs in the P2+ demo: The O'Reilly Factor (2,886,000), Hannity (2,065,000), Special Report (1,865,000), On the Record (1,738,000), and FOX Report (1,673,000).
- FNC also commands the top five programs in the 25-54 demo: The O'Reilly Factor (633,000), Hannity (512,000), On the Record (432,000), The O'Reilly Factor repeat (400,000), and FOX Report (399,000)
Here's an interesting tidbit from
TVByTheNumbers, which cites another batch of Nielsen data. According to the data, FNC has led the pack of debates this year with its Orlando debate coverage. Averaging 6.1 million viewers (1.7 million in the 25-54 demo), the debate scored higher ratings than half of NBC's new fall lineup.
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