FOX News Channel (FNC) achieved its highest share of the cable news audience in network history during November 2024, capturing 62% of viewers during the election month, according to Nielsen Media Research data released on November 26, 2024. The milestone comes amid substantial viewership declines for competing networks MSNBC and CNN, marking a pivotal moment in cable news viewership dynamics.
FOX News Channel has maintained its position as the leading cable news network for 45 consecutive months in both primetime and total day measurements across key demographics. The network's primetime programming (8-11 PM/ET) attracted 3.2 million viewers and 476,000 viewers in the crucial 25-54 demographic, representing significant year-over-year growth of 86% in total viewership and 147% in the demographic category.
Data from Nielsen MRI Fusion indicates that FOX News Channel has expanded its reach among diverse viewer segments, leading in viewership among Independents and Democrats in the 25-54 demographic. The network also dominated viewership among Asian and Hispanic audiences, as well as upscale viewers throughout the total day programming.
Following the November 5th election, FOX News Channel emerged as the most-watched network across all television categories in primetime, surpassing traditional broadcast networks ABC, CBS, and NBC. The network's post-election performance shows:
- 24% increase in primetime viewership compared to year-to-date numbers
- 73% share of cable news viewership
- 3 million viewers and 382,000 viewers in the 25-54 demographic during primetime
In contrast, competing networks experienced significant viewership declines:
- CNN: Decreased to 453,000 viewers and 92,000 in the 25-54 demographic
- MSNBC: Dropped to 644,000 viewers and 63,000 in the 25-54 demographic
Election day coverage
FOX News Media's comprehensive election night coverage demonstrated strong performance across multiple platforms:
- Combined viewership of 13.6 million across FNC, FOX Network, FOX Business Network, and FOX News Digital
- 4.4 million viewers in the 25-54 demographic
- FNC's Democracy 2024 primetime coverage averaged 10.8 million total viewers
- Peak viewership of 11.2 million during the 10 PM/ET hour
- First major network to call the presidential race in the 1 AM/ET hour
The network's individual programs achieved notable milestones:
Primetime Programming
- "The Five" (5 PM/ET): 4.4 million viewers and 510,000 in 25-54 demographic
- "Jesse Watters Primetime" (8 PM/ET): 3.9 million viewers and 503,000 in 25-54 demographic
- "Hannity" (9 PM/ET): 3.2 million viewers and 424,000 in 25-54 demographic
- "Gutfeld!" (10 PM/ET): Best month since launch with 3.3 million viewers and 480,000 in 25-54 demographic
Daytime Programming
- "FOX & Friends" (6-9 AM/ET): 1.6 million viewers and 218,000 in demographic
- "America's Newsroom": 2.2 million viewers and 270,000 in 25-54 demographic
- "The Faulkner Focus": 2.4 million viewers and 293,000 in 25-54 demographic
- "Outnumbered": 2.5 million viewers and 305,000 in demographic
Weekend programming success
Weekend programming maintained strong performance:
Saturday Highlights
- "Life, Liberty & Levin": 1.8 million viewers
- "FOX & Friends Weekend": 193,000 viewers in 25-54 demographic
- "The Big Weekend Show": 1.7 million viewers and 175,000 in 25-54 demographic
Sunday Performance
- "Sunday Morning Futures": 1.9 million viewers and 205,000 in 25-54 demographic
- "FOX & Friends Sunday": 1.5 million viewers and 168,000 in 25-54 demographic
- "MediaBuzz": 1.5 million viewers and 176,000 in 25-54 demographic
Historical performance
FOX News Channel's current performance builds on its eight-year streak as the number one network in basic cable. According to Nielsen Media Research, the network attracts nearly 50% of the cable news viewing audience. Independent research from Nielsen/MRI Fusion indicates FNC maintains the most politically diverse audience in cable news, with strong viewership among Democrat and Independent viewers.
A 2024 Pew Research Center study identified FOX News Channel as the primary source for political news among Americans, while a 2023 New York Times/Siena College poll confirmed its position as the leading single source of news for voters nationwide. The network reaches approximately 70 million homes and consistently ranks among the top 10 programs in the cable news genre.
Key Statistical Highlights
Total Day Performance
- 2 million total viewers
- 282,000 viewers in 25-54 demographic
- 67% year-over-year growth in total viewers
- 101% growth in 25-54 demographic
Primetime Performance
- 3.2 million total viewers
- 476,000 viewers in 25-54 demographic
- 86% year-over-year growth in total viewership
- 147% growth in 25-54 demographic
Post-Election Metrics
- 24% increase in primetime viewership
- 32% increase in total day viewership
- 73% share of cable news audience
Key Demographics
- Leading network among Independents and Democrats (25-54)
- Top-rated among Asian and Hispanic viewers
- Highest viewership among upscale audiences
Key Facts
- Record-setting 62% share of cable news audience in November 2024
- 45 consecutive months as number one in cable news
- 248 telecasts with over two million viewers
- Most-watched network in television post-election
- Significant growth across all key demographics
- Domination in both weekday and weekend programming
- Strong performance across diverse viewer segments
- Continued leadership in morning and primetime slots
- Record-breaking election coverage performance
- Sustained growth in digital platform engagement
The shifting viewership patterns in cable news reflect broader changes in media consumption habits and audience preferences. FOX News Channel's record-breaking performance comes at a time of significant transformation in the television news landscape, with traditional viewing habits evolving and digital platforms gaining prominence.
The network's ability to maintain and grow its audience share, particularly during major news events such as elections, demonstrates the continuing importance of television news in shaping public discourse and informing viewers about current events. The substantial viewership gains across diverse demographic groups suggest a broadening appeal that extends beyond traditional audience segments.
These developments occur against the backdrop of an increasingly competitive media environment, where networks must adapt to changing viewer preferences while maintaining editorial standards and technical innovation. The contrast between FOX News Channel's growth and the viewership declines at competing networks highlights the dynamic nature of the cable news market and the challenges faced by traditional media organizations in retaining and expanding their audience base.