Obama’s ISIS Speech Yields Ratings Win for Fox News

Fox News draws larger viewership than CNN and MSNBC combined during Wednesday’s presidential address

President Barack Obama
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When President Obama talks ISIS, Fox News viewers watch. In droves.

Obama’s presidential address regarding ISIS on Wednesday delivered a ratings victory to Fox News, with the cable channel drawing more viewers during the address than top competitors CNN and MSNBC combined.

Also read: President Obama Plans to ‘Destroy’ ISIS With Military Action in Iraq, Syria

During the speech, which lasted from approximately 9-9:15 p.m. ET, Fox News averaged 4.447 million total viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research. In comparison, MSNBC had 1.890 million and CNN had 1.827 million.

In the key 25-54 news demographic, Fox News also came out on top, though not by such a large margin. The channel averaged 994,000 demo viewers, compared to 633,000 for CNN and 361,000 for MSNBC.

Overall for Wednesday primetime, Fox News was first in the demo and total viewers with 750,000 and 3.413 million, respectively, while CNN was second in both categories, scoring 1.174 million total biewers and 408,000 demo viewers. MSNBC took third with 1.222 million total viewers and 272,000 demo viewers.

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