OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Fox News continues to dominate the cable news ratings.
According to Nielsen Media Research, FOX News had the second-highest third-quarter rating in history during the third quarter of 2024. It outperformed broadcast networks ABC and CBS as well as all of cable in terms of viewers, making it the most-watched cable news channel in primetime for 91 consecutive quarters.
With 52% of viewers during the day and 53% during primetime, FNC continued to have the largest share of the cable news audience and reported the highest gain in cable news when compared to the third quarter of 2023.
The network provided 70 of the top 100 cable news telecasts this quarter, marking 14 consecutive quarters as the most watched in terms of total day viewers. This was the network’s greatest level of share since the first quarter of 2023.
As noted in a press release, several top Fox News hosts also made history:
–The Five Continues to Break Television Records as it Marks 12 Consecutive Quarters as Cable News’ Highest-Rated Program
–Hannity Tops Cable News with 25-54 Demo and Remains 9 PM/ET’s Most-Watched Host
–Jesse Watters Primetime is Most Watched in Cable News During Primetime
–Gutfeld! Delivers Largest Audience in Program History During Third Quarter, Continues Reign as Number One Show in Late-Night Television
More people watched FNC than any other cable news network in the third quarter of 2024 for historical political news, such as the simulcast of the ABC presidential debate, the Republican and Democratic National Conventions, the assassination attempts on former President Donald Trump, and President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race.
On September 10, FOX News Media’s televised version of ABC’s presidential debate with Democratic contender Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican nominee Former President Donald Trump drew in 14.2 million viewers, surpassing that of NBC, CBS, and cable news.
Additionally, the network created history by delivering the highest-rated primetime convention coverage ever during the RNC, drawing in 10.4 million viewers overall and 2 million from the 25–54 demographic between 10 and 11 PM/ET. With 6.9 million viewers and 1.4 million in the 25-54 demo, FNC’s live breaking news coverage of the attempted assassination of former President Trump (7-13-24) was its highest-rated weekend ever.
With 2.1 million viewers and 336,000 in the 25–54 age group, the network also took the lead later in the month with breaking news coverage of President Joe Biden’s announcement to withdraw from the race for reelection.
Each program saw growth compared to the third quarter of 2023, and FNC produced the top 12 programs in terms of viewers as well as the top 13 in the 25-54 and 18-49 demos for the third quarter of 2024.
With 3.5 million viewers and 359,000 in the 25–54 demographic, FNC’s The Five at 5 PM/ET continues to create history in the cable news industry by being the first non-primetime program to be the most viewed in viewers for 12 consecutive quarters.
This made it the greatest audience in the genre.
With 3,232,000 viewers in the 9 PM/ET hour and 457,000 in the 25-54 demo, FNC’s Hannity concluded 3Q ’24 as the highest-rated show in the demo.
“FNC also continued to excel against the competition throughout the weekend for the quarter, outpacing CNN and MSNBC across both total day and primetime with viewers and winning every hour with total viewers. Additionally, FNC defeated CNN and MSNBC combined with total viewers on both Saturday and Sunday,” the press release stated.
” On Saturdays, The Big Weekend Show was number one across both viewers and 25-54, drawing 1,793,000 viewers and 244,000 in the 25-54 demo. One Nation with Brian Kilmeade nabbed 1.4 million viewers (139,000 in 25-54) and FOX News Saturday Night with Jimmy Failla attracted 1,043,000 viewers (134,000 in 25-54.) FOX Report with Jon Scott drew 1.3 million viewers and 139,000 in the 25-54 demo, while Cavuto Live remained dominant in its two hours, securing 1.3 million viewers and 158,000 in the 25-54 demo,” the press release added.
