Media

Fox Notches 29th Month As Number One Cable Network

Amber Athey Podcast Columnist
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Fox News’ monster ratings kept them steady in the number one cable spot in November, while cable news competitors CNN and MSNBC were unable to best the cheesy holiday movies featured on the Hallmark Channel.

November marked Fox’s 29th consecutive month as the highest-rated cable network in total day, according to Nielsen Media Research. However, the cable news giant fell to second behind ESPN in primetime ratings.

LAS VEGAS, NV - SEPTEMBER 20: Fox News Channel and radio talk show host Sean Hannity throws a Trump hat that he autographed to an attendee before a Donald Trump campaign rally at the Las Vegas Convention Center on September 20, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Trump is in town to support the re-election campaign for U.S. Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV) as well as Nevada Attorney General and Republican gubernatorial candidate Adam Laxalt and candidate for Nevada's 3rd House District Danny Tarkanian and 4th House District Cresent Hardy. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

LAS VEGAS, NV – SEPTEMBER 20: Fox News Channel and radio talk show host Sean Hannity throws a Trump hat that he autographed to an attendee 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)

MSNBC finished fourth in each category behind Fox, ESPN, and Hallmark, while CNN finished sixth in each category. CNN lost to USA Network in primetime and Nickelodeon in total day.

TOTAL DAY: 

Fox News: 1,475,000

MSNBC: 1,024,000

CNN: 761,000

PRIMETIME: 

Fox News: 2,439,000

MSNBC:  1,835,000

CNN: 1,119,000

Fox was also able to batter CNN and MSNBC in the coveted 25-54 age demographic, although CNN experienced much larger growth in that category. CNN’s primetime viewership in the demo was up 24 percent last month.

“Hannity” was the most watched show on cable news for the month, reaching an average of more than 3 million viewers, compared to MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow’s 2.9 million.

CNN’s highest rated program, “Chris Cuomo Primetime,” lagged behind competitors in 23rd place with an average of 1.2 million viewers.

Fox’s sister network, Fox Business Network, was similarly dominant in business news ratings, scoring their 18th consecutive month as the leader in business news. FBN’s Business Day coverage was 15 percent higher than competitor CNBC, while their total day coverage was 4 percent higher.

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 02: Trish Regan speaks onstage at Jefferson Awards Foundation 2016 NYC National Ceremony on March 2, 2016, at Gotham Hall in New York City. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Jefferson Awards Foundation)

NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 02: Trish Regan speaks onstage at Jefferson Awards Foundation 2016 NYC National Ceremony on March 2, 2016, at Gotham Hall in New York City. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Jefferson Awards Foundation)

FBN’s Trish Regan is delivering the network’s highest ever ratings in the 8:00 p.m. time slot.

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