2 Fox Biz Shows Beat CNBC in Time Slot for First Time Ever

“Varney and Company” and “Lou Dobbs Tonight” are big winners for Fox Business Network

Fox Business Network Stuart Varney
Fox Business Network

Fox Business Network has had a nice August, delivering the month’s top two news programs on business television with “Varney & Company” and “Lou Dobbs Tonight.”

While Fox News continues to dominate its competition, sister channel FBN’s programs have now scored two monthly wins over rival CNBC for the first time ever.

“Varney & Company” beat CNBC’s Squawk on the Street/Squawk Alley with 180,000 total viewers (versus 167,000). Previously, Varney had won the 11 a.m. ET hour, but this is the first time that the three-hour program has swept CNBC’s combined market-open coverage for a month.

In addition “Lou Dobbs Tonight” topped CNBC’s counter programming with 247,000 total viewers (compared to 109,000) and 44,000 in the key demo of adults age 25-54 (against 41,000).

Dobbs saw a 127 percent gain in total viewers compared to last year, helping to boost the show to its eighth consecutive monthly win over CNBC. The network also performed well across social media, ranking as the No. 1 business-TV news brand on both Facebook and Instagram.

Daytime programming posted gains across the board for FBN, up 56 percent in total viewers with an average of 139,000. Neil Cavuto’s “Cavuto: Coast to Coast” was up 59 percent with 129,000 total viewers, while Trish Regan’s Intelligence Report saw a 70 percent gain with 119,000 total viewers. “Countdown to the Closing Bell” with Liz Claman grew 49 percent with 107,000 total viewers.

FBN’s primetime programming even grew 149 percent year over year for August.

The network has more to look forward to, as Cavuto is scheduled to return on Sept. 6 after missing a few months following heart surgery.

Comments