Fox News remained top of all basic cable during the month of April’s ratings as the most-watched network among total viewers in both total day and primetime, according to Nielsen Media Research.
Marking 34 consecutive months as the leading basic cable network in total day with 1.4 million viewers, FNC also garnered 2.4 million viewers in primetime, finishing first for the third month in a row. For the 208th month in a row, FNC also beat CNN and MSNBC across both categories, while CNN marked its lowest-rated month in total day viewers since October 2015 and August 2015 with Demo.
Hannity finished the month of April as the highest-rated cable news program while Tucker Carlson Tonight ranked number two, outpacing MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow at 9PM/ET in both total viewers and the 25-54 demo. Both Tucker Carlson Tonight and Hannity also beat NBA Playoffs airing on ESPN and TNT and Monday Night Raw airing on USA Network in total viewers. Additionally, FNC’s regular scheduled programming dominated CNN’s five hour town hall event on April 22nd, securing 2.3 million viewers and 380,000 in the A25-54 demo while CNN came in last in total viewers with 1.2 million and 371,00 in the demo for the night.
In primetime, FNC averaged ratings of 2.4 million beating CNN’s 767,000 and MSNBC’s 1,660,000 total viewers. With Adults 25-54, FNC garnered 389,000, topping CNN’s 198,000 and MSNBC’s 255,000. In total day, FNC averaged 1.4 million viewers, trouncing CNN’s 545,000 and MSNBC’s 919,000. In the 25-54 demo, FNC averaged 243,000 ranking ahead of CNN with 141,000 and MSNBC also with 141,000 in total day.
For the month of April, FNC programs accounted for nine of the top 15 cable news programs in total viewer ratings and claimed 10 of the top 15 cable news programs in the 25-54 demo. Hannity, Tucker Carlson Tonight, The Ingraham Angle and The Five were among the top five cable news programs in both total viewers and in the 25-54 demographic.
Kicking off FNC’s daytime programming, the 4AM/ET hour of FOX & Friends First garnered 487,000 viewers and 119,000 with A25-54. The 5AM/ET hour of FOX & Friends First had a total of 653,000 viewers and 165,000 with A25-54. Continuing to make cable news history, FNC’s signature morning show FOX & Friends marked 210 months as the number one cable news program in its timeslot, with an average of 1.5 million viewers and 289,000 with the 25-54 demo, beating CNN and MSNBC in both categories. At 9AM/ET, America’s Newsroom delivered 1.6 million viewers and 266,000 with A25-54, also beating both CNN and MSNBC across both categories. FNC’s afternoon ensemble program at 12PM/ET, Outnumbered, garnered 1.5 million viewers and 253,000 in the 25-54 category beating CNN and MSNBC combined in both categories. Outnumbered Overtime anchored by Harris Faulkner delivered ratings of 1.3 million viewers and 225,000 with A25-54 while The Daily Briefing with Dana Perino averaged 1.3 million viewers and 213,000 in the 25-54 demo. During the 3PM/ET hour, FNC’s Shepard Smith Reporting averaged 1.3 million viewers and 225,000 with A25-54. Your World with Neil Cavuto at 4PM/ET delivered 1.4 million viewers and averaged 223,000 with A25-54.
During FNC’s early evening programming, The Five garnered 2.4 million viewers and 380,000 in the demo. Anchored by chief political anchor Bret Baier at 6PM/ET, Special Report averaged 2 million viewers and 353,000 in the 25-54 demo. The Story with Martha MacCallum at 7PM/ET delivered 1.8 million viewers and 323,000 with A25-54.
In primetime, Tucker Carlson Tonight (8PM/ET) delivered 2.8 million viewers and 499,000 with A25-54. Hannity was the top-rated program for the month with 3.1 million viewers and 514,000 in the 25-54 demo. Meanwhile, CNN’s Cuomo Primetime in the same 9PM/ET timeslot had its lowest-rated delivery since launch in total viewers and the demo with 917,000 and 235,000 respectively. At 10PM/ET, The Ingraham Angle, hosted by Laura Ingraham, averaged 2.5 million viewers and 410,000 in the A25-54 demo. FOX News @ Night with Shannon Bream garnered 1.4 million viewers and 284,000 with A25-54.
During the weekends, Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo averaged 1.4 million viewers and 257,000 in the demo on Sundays at 10AM/ET. MediaBuzz hosted by Howie Kurtz delivered 1.3 million viewers and 235,000 in the 25-54 demo, easily besting CNN’s Reliable Sources (668,000 P2+; 149,000 25-54 demo).