Fox News marked its 5th consecutive month as the most-watched cable network in primetime during the month of October, beating its competitors’ combined primetime viewership.
Fox also notched its 28th consecutive month as the number one network in total day ratings, according to Nielsen Media Research.
TOTAL DAY RATINGS:
Fox: 1,685,000
MSNBC: 909,000
CNN: 689,000
MSNBC and CNN combined: 1,598,000
PRIMETIME RATINGS:
Fox: 2,829,000
MSNBC: 1,575,000
CNN: 931,00
MSNBC and CNN combined: 2,506,000
Notably, Fox News also experienced the most growth in viewership since October of 2017. The network’s total day viewership is up 16 percent from last year, and primetime viewership is up 25 percent. (RELATED: Cuomo Criticizes Fox News – Gaetz Brings Up Ratings)
MSNBC is up 1 percent in total day and 0 percent in primetime, while CNN is down 5 percent in total day and up 1 percent in primetime.
Fox is also the only network to experience growth in the key 25–54 demographic in both categories.
CNN was by far the least competitive cable news network in October, finishing 9th in primetime behind Fox Sports 1, The Hallmark Channel, and Home and Garden Television. CNN finished 7th in total day behind Nickelodeon and Hallmark.
Fox News’ “Hannity” remained the top program in cable news, finishing well ahead of MSNBC’s “Rachel Maddow Show,” which ranked 6th. Maddow was bested by “Tucker Carlson Tonight,” “The Ingraham Angle,” “The Five,” and “Special Report.”
LAS VEGAS, NV – SEPTEMBER 20: Fox News Channel and radio talk show host Sean Hannity reacts to attendees before a Donald Trump campaign rally at the Las Vegas Convention Center on September 20, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Fox News’ sister network, Fox Business Network, marked 17 months as the leader in business news. Featuring a newly revamped lineup on October 15, FBN beat CNBC in both business day and total day viewership across the month.
Notably, “Trish Regan Primetime” beat CNBC’s “Shark Tank” and delivered FBN’s highest ever rated week in the 8 p.m. time slot.