Fox News Dominates Cable Ratings for 4th Consecutive Quarter

FNC is also highest-rated cable news channel for 62 consecutive quarters

Fox News continues its reign, becoming the most watched basic cable network for four consecutive quarters.

The network’s commanding second-quarter ratings also crushed their direct competitors MSNBC and CNN, marking 62 consecutive quarters as the highest-rated cable news channel in total viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research.

FNC also reached No. 1 among basic cable networks in both primetime and total day, ahead of TNT and Nickelodeon. That’s four consecutive quarters as the most-watched basic cable network in both categories.

FNC was up double-digits in the second quarter of 2017, compared to the same quarter last year in all categories and metrics. In total day, FNC averaged 1.5 million in total viewers (up 27 percent) and 314,000 (up 46 percent). In primetime, FNC garnered 2.4 million in total viewers (up 19 percent) and 472,000 (up 34 percent) in the 25-54 demo. For the quarter, FNC also came out on top in both primetime and total day in total viewers.

The network also boasts 14 of the top 20 cable news programs in total viewers for Q2, and 5 out of the top 10 in the 25-54 demo. All FNC programs posted double-digit gains in the younger 25-54 demo compared to the same quarter last year.

FNC’s most dramatic numbers came from daytime’s “FOX & Friends” (6-9AM/ET), drawing 1.6 million total viewers (up 48 percent) and 368,000 in the 25-54 demographic (up 64 percent).

FOX Business also dominated business day for the third consecutive quarter, finishing Q2 at No. 1 in Business Day viewers, ahead of rival CNBC. It’s the first time FBN has topped CNBC for three back-to-back quarters since the network launched in 2007.

Averaging 173,000 total viewers, FBN’s Business Day audience grew 35 percent over 2016 for the quarter, driven by high ratings from anchors Stuart Varney, Neil Cavuto, Trish Regan and Liz Claman.

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