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Fox News Dominates July Ratings, Averaging More Total Viewers Than Any Other Cable Network

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OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.


Fox News continues to crush all cable news programs in the ratings.

The conservative network was the most-watched outlet on cable television, both in total day and in primetime, in July.

“FNC just completed its 18th consecutive month as the most-watched basic cable network in total day, averaging 1.35 million total day viewers in July 2022, per Nielsen live-plus-same-day data. Fox also averaged 194,000 adults 25-54 in total day for July. Compared to the previous month of June, however, Fox News lost -2% in total day viewers and -8% in the total day demo. How about Fox News primetime? The network remains far and away No. 1 in cable news, but shed -3% in total primetime viewers and -8% among the primetime demo vs. June,” Ad Week reported.

The report added”

On the programming front, The Five continued to make history, finishing the month of July as the most-watched cable news show for seven out of the past eight months. The roundtable talk program averaged 3.2 million total viewers, and 410,000 in the 25-54 demo at 5 p.m.

At 8 p.m., Tucker Carlson Tonight completed the month as the top-rated program among adults 25-54, averaging 482,000 in the measurement, and finishing No. 2 in total viewers with a 3.1 million average. Additionally, Fox News delivered The network the four-most-watched cable news shows and the top 15 of the top 16 cable news programs in the 25-54 demo for the month of July 2022.

Popular Fox News host Tucker Carlson, who regularly brings in around 3 million viewers to his show, joked recently that he’s not even aware of his record-setting ratings.

“I don’t know how to read a ratings chart,” Carlson said. “Ask anyone who works for me or has worked with me. I never look at the ratings. I’m not on the ratings email. I’m not even on email.”

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During a forum, host Ben Smith pressed Carlson on ratings and networks trying to push a message, which was a joke of a question.

“But you’re in the ratings business, fundamentally,” Smith said.

“Slow down — I don’t know what my ratings are, and I mean that,” Carlson replied. “You may not believe me. I don’t own a TV, that’s true.”

In April 2020, Carlson broke the record for the most-watched cable news program in U.S. history, cracking more than 4.5 million viewers on average for that quarter.

Beyond Carlson, Fox News overall has continued to crush all cable news programs in the ratings.

Fox News aired 72 of the 100 most-watched cable news telecasts.

“Fox News Channel dominated basic cable from July 11-17, finishing with the largest average audience for the 28th consecutive week,” Fox News reported.

“Fox News averaged 1.4 million viewers last week, while no other basic cable channel surpassed the one-million viewer mark. Fox News also came out on top during the primetime hours of 8-11 p.m., averaging 2.2 million viewers compared to 1.3 million for second-place MSNBC,” the report added. “It was the 74th straight week that Fox News outdrew CNN and MSNBC among both total and primetime viewers.”

The hit show “The Five,” where Watters is a co-host, once again led all cable news shows in total viewers last week and it wasn’t even close.

“The Five” was the most-watched show on cable news, averaging 3.14 million viewers.

“Tucker Carlson Tonight” was the second most-watched show last week with the week 3.12 million total viewers.

The other show Watters hosts, “Watters Primetime” took third place in average total viewers with 2.64 million.

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Earlier this month, Fox News had 84 of the top 100 cable news shows between July 4 and 10 and averaged 1.3 million viewers.

For comparison, MSNBC finished second with 666,000 daily average viewers in that same time frame.

Fox News beat all of cable news among the key demographic of adults aged 25-54, averaging 198,000 total demo viewers and 288,000 during primetime.

According to Fox News:

“The Five” averaged 3.2 million viewers to finish as the most-watched cable news offering, as Fox News finished with 84 of the top 100 cable news telecasts for the week.

“Tucker Carlson Tonight,” “Jesse Watters Primetime,” “Special Report with Bret Baier” and “The Ingraham Angle” joined “The Five” among the five most-popular shows.

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“Tucker” averaged 505,000 viewers among the advertiser-coveted demographic to win the critical ratings category.

“FOX & Friends” continued its dominant streak, averaging 1.2 million viewers to top morning show competition on CNN and MSNBC for the 68th straight week.

CNN’s “New Day” averaged a dismal 385,000 viewers and MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” settled for and average audience of 832,000.

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