Fox News Ratings
Fox News has maintained a dominant position in the cable news landscape for years, continually leading the ratings for prime-time news broadcasts. This success has been fueled by its ability to attract viewers during critical news moments, its popular host lineup, and its broad audience appeal. In this article, we’ll explore the various factors behind Fox News’s ratings success, highlight key milestones in the network’s recent performance, and discuss its programming that drives viewership.
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Consistent Leadership in Cable News Ratings
Fox News has been the top-rated cable news network for 91 consecutive quarters, a remarkable achievement in the competitive landscape of media. In 2024, the network achieved its second-highest-rated third quarter in its history, continuing to outpace its rivals like CNN and MSNBC in both total viewership and key demographic categories.
One of the key factors contributing to Fox News’s dominance is its ability to cover major political events and breaking news stories. Coverage of significant political events, such as the Republican and Democratic National Conventions, assassination attempts, and the withdrawal of President Joe Biden from the 2024 presidential race, boosted Fox’s ratings significantly. These events drew millions of viewers, especially in the coveted 25-54 age demographic, which advertisers target the most.
Breaking News Coverage
The 2024 political climate, filled with historic and dramatic moments, provided Fox News with ample opportunity to shine in its breaking news coverage. The network’s coverage of Biden’s exit from the presidential race attracted 2.1 million viewers, with a particularly strong showing in the 25-54 age group. The coverage of the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump drew 6.9 million viewers, marking the highest-rated weekend in Fox News history. This type of content, combined with the network’s ability to pivot quickly to cover critical moments, ensures that viewers consistently tune in to Fox News when major events unfold.
Popular Prime-Time Programming
A significant part of Fox News’s ratings success can be attributed to its prime-time programming lineup. The network has consistently produced shows that resonate with its core audience, particularly those interested in conservative political perspectives. In the third quarter of 2024, three of the network’s prime-time shows—“The Ingraham Angle,” “Jesse Watters Primetime,” and “Hannity”—led their respective time slots, all of which contribute heavily to the network’s overall ratings dominance.
Jesse Watters Primetime
“Jesse Watters Primetime” has become a fan favorite, consistently drawing large audiences during the 8 p.m. time slot. This show addresses key political and social issues, often focusing on controversial topics that appeal to Fox News’s viewership. Watters, known for his straightforward and sometimes provocative commentary, has been a driving force behind the network’s success in that hour.
Hannity
“Hannity,” hosted by Sean Hannity, continues to be one of the highest-rated shows on the network, especially in the 9 p.m. slot. Hannity’s ability to blend political analysis with in-depth interviews of high-profile figures makes his show a go-to for conservative viewers looking for insight into current events. The show has a loyal following, consistently attracting millions of viewers.
The Ingraham Angle
Laura Ingraham’s show, “The Ingraham Angle,” dominates the 7 p.m. time slot and serves as the precursor to the prime-time lineup. Ingraham’s commentary on political and social issues, along with her no-holds-barred style, appeals to a wide audience, keeping Fox News ahead of its competitors in that time frame.
Gutfeld!: A Rising Star in Late-Night News Comedy
One of the most surprising success stories in Fox News’s programming is “Gutfeld!,” a late-night comedy show hosted by Greg Gutfeld. Traditionally, cable news networks have not been able to compete with broadcast networks when it comes to late-night comedy, but “Gutfeld!” has defied that trend. The show blends political satire with humorous commentary, making it a unique offering in the cable news world.
In the third quarter of 2024, “Gutfeld!” had its highest-rated quarter ever, with 2.8 million viewers and 413,000 in the 25-54 age demographic. One of the standout episodes was a special featuring former President Donald Trump, which drew nearly 5 million viewers, marking the highest-rated telecast in the show’s history.
Appeal to Younger Audiences
What makes “Gutfeld!” particularly noteworthy is its ability to draw younger viewers, a demographic that often gravitates toward streaming services or entertainment platforms rather than traditional news. The show’s mix of humor and political insight has helped Fox News tap into a new audience, contributing to the network’s overall ratings strength.
Morning and Late-Night Viewership: A Full-Day Powerhouse
Fox News’s success isn’t limited to prime-time hours. “Fox & Friends,” the network’s morning show, remains the most-watched morning program in cable news. With its focus on a mix of news, commentary, and interviews, the show sets the tone for the network’s news coverage throughout the day.
In addition, “Fox News @ Night,” which airs at 11 p.m., is the most-watched program in its time slot. This success highlights the network’s ability to maintain strong viewership across a wide variety of time slots, keeping its audience engaged from early morning until late at night.
Around-the-Clock Viewership
While some networks struggle to retain viewers outside of prime-time hours, Fox News has successfully built a lineup that holds its audience’s attention throughout the day. The consistency of shows like “Fox & Friends” in the morning and “Fox News @ Night” in the late evening creates a full-day viewing experience that few other cable networks can match.
Key Milestones in 2024 Ratings
The year 2024 has been a landmark year for Fox News in terms of ratings achievements. The network hit several key milestones, including:
- Second-highest-rated third quarter in the network’s history.
- 91 consecutive quarters as the top-rated cable news network.
- Highest-rated prime-time convention coverage during the Republican National Convention.
- Most-watched weekend in network history during the coverage of the assassination attempt on Donald Trump.
- Record ratings for “Gutfeld!” and other prime-time shows like “Jesse Watters Primetime” and “Hannity”.
These milestones underscore Fox News’s ability to remain relevant and dominate the news landscape even as it competes with a growing number of digital and traditional media outlets.
Conclusion: Why Fox News Ratings Remain Strong
Fox News’s ability to maintain high ratings over such an extended period comes down to several factors. The network’s focus on conservative viewpoints resonates with a large segment of the American population. It also benefits from a loyal audience that turns to Fox News for both daily updates and major breaking news.
The combination of strong programming, popular hosts, and timely coverage of significant events ensures that Fox News remains a leader in the cable news ratings. As political and social issues continue to evolve, Fox News’s ability to adapt and deliver content that appeals to its core viewers will likely keep it at the top of the ratings charts for the foreseeable future.
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