FOX NEWS CHANNEL CLOSES IN ON BROADCAST NETWORKS WITH WINS OVER CBS, ABC AND NBC IN SECOND QUARTER
FNC Overtakes ABC and NBC During 2Q'2025; Beats CBS in Total Viewers and 25-54 Demo for June
Network Leads Broadcast in All Major News Cycles of Second Quarter; Finishes Last Week's Breaking News with Iran as Most Watched in Television
'Special Report' Outpaces 'CBS Evening News' in Over 20 Markets as it Secures Major Interviews with World Leaders, PM Netanyahu World Exclusive Reached 30 Million Viewers Across all Platforms
All FNC Programs Surge Year-Over-Year as Every CNN and MSNBC Show Declines; CNN has Worst Demo Quarter in Network History
'Hannity' is Number One for June Primetime with 25-54 Demo; 'Jesse Watters Primetime' is Dominant in Viewers as 'The Five' Trounces 'CBS Evening News', NBC's 'Americas' and ESPN's 'NBA Playoffs'
NEW YORK, July 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- FOX News Channel (FNC) continued to close in on the broadcast competition, overtaking ABC and NBC in viewers during the second quarter of 2025 and crushing CBS for the month of June in both categories, according to Nielsen. During 2Q' 2025, FNC delivered 3,015,000 viewers and 350,000 in the 25-54 demo, ahead of ABC (2.977 million viewers) and NBC (2.704 million viewers). The quarter marked FNC's second highest-rated second quarter in network history with weekday total day viewers, behind only 2020's coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic. In total day, FNC saw 1.8 million viewers and 223,000 in the 25-54 demo, finishing with its top 10 highest quarter ratings of all time. FNC continued to occupy more than half the cable news share, commanding 62% of the audience in total day and 63% in primetime. FNC is the fastest growing network on all of television among total viewers and 25-54 demo during primetime as the network remained number one among Hispanic and Asian viewers with total day.
During the second quarter, FNC was the go-to channel for all breaking news events, further cementing itself as the dominant network in all of television. FNC is the leading source for developments out of the Middle East and the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran with trailblazing reporting from correspondents in the region and stateside. Last week, FNC finished as the highest-rated network in all of television during breaking news coverage of the United States' strike on Iranian nuclear facilities. During the week, FNC delivered 3.3 million viewers in primetime, beating NBC (2.4 million viewers), CBS (2.1 million viewers) and ABC (1.9 million viewers). FNC was also dominant in the 25-54 demo, securing 425,000 viewers ahead of NBC (406,000 25-54 viewers), ABC (392,000 25-54 viewers) and CBS (325,000 25-54 viewers). The network was also the ratings leader during breaking news of the death of Pope Francis in April, the Army 250 parade and more.
For the month of June, FNC drew 3.1 million viewers and 370,000 in the 25-54 demo in primetime. FNC crushed CBS across the board (2.1 million viewers and 341,000 25-54 demo) and beat NBC (2.4 million viewers) in total viewership. In total day, FNC averaged 1.7 million viewers increasing year to year (+27%) and 220,000 (+38%) in 25-54. This marked FNC's second highest rated June ever with total viewers and 25-54 demo behind only June 2020.
Several of FNC's programs continued to overtake broadcast programs throughout the quarter. At 5 PM/ET, FNC's The Five continued to make cable news history as the first non-primetime program to be the most watched for 15 consecutive quarters. Delivering nearly 4 million viewers and 410,000 in 25-54 demo, the program grew its demo by 52% year over year. Notably, The Five surpassed broadcast programs including CBS Evening News, NBC's Americas, ESPN's NBA Playoffs and more.
FNC's premier newscast Special Report with Bret Baier at 6 PM/ET garnered the largest audience in its timeslot with nearly 3 million viewers and 360,000 in 25-54 demo. Year-over-year Special Report, more than doubled his 25-54 demo audience and surged 35% in overall viewership, led by key bookings. Special Report beat CBS Evening News in the 25-54 demo on Monday, June 23rd (584,000 25-54 viewers vs. 542,000 25-54 demo) and remains highly competitive with the broadcast program, winning head-to-head in more than 20 key markets including Washington D.C. Chief political anchor Bret Baier's world exclusive interview with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reached an audience of 30 million across linear, streaming and social media platforms. According to Brandwatch, the interview and commentary around it reached more than 21 million across social media from June 15-17th. Combined with the 4.1 million across FOX News Media airings, and streaming and digital airings, the world exclusive had a combined audience of 30 million, including 5.5 million video views across YouTube, according to Emplifi.
For the second quarter of 2025, FNC delivered 14 of the top 15 shows in cable news with viewers, posting increases every hour year-over-year. At 7 PM/ET, The Ingraham Angle topped the competition with 2.7 million viewers and 317,000 in 25-54. Jesse Watters Primetime at 8 PM/ET scored 3.4 million viewers and 396,000 in 25-54. Hannity (weeknights, 9 PM/ET) dominated the competition and with 2.9 million viewers and was 342,000 in the 25-54 demo. Sean Hannity was the highest-rated host for the month of June in 25-54 demo with 434,000 younger viewers. At 11 PM/ET, FOX News @ Night saw 1.6 million viewers and 228,000 in 25-54.
Late-night's highest-rated program, Gutfeld! continued to soar notching 3 million viewers and 365,000 in 25-54 during the 10 PM/ET hour. In addition to the cable news competition, Gutfeld! outpaced all broadcast and late-night television, including CBS' The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live!, NBC's The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Late Night with Seth Meyers, CBS' After Midnight and Comedy Central's The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.
For Monday – Sunday total day, FNC averaged 1,632,000 viewers (+25%) and 202,000 (+31%) in the 25-54 demo, posting double-digit increases year-over-year. During primetime from 8 – 11 PM/ET, FNC delivered 2,633,000 viewers (+25%) and 304,000 in 25-54 demo (+34%). In contrast, CNN and MSNBC saw declines across the board in both total day and primetime. CNN saw its worst quarter in history with just 71,000 younger viewers in total day and 105,000 in primetime. FNC has now marked 94 consecutive quarters as the most-watched cable news network in primetime, a feat dating back to 2002.
From 9-11 AM/ET, America's Newsroom with Dana Perino and Bill Hemmer dominated its timeslot with 1.9 million viewers and 212,000 in the 25-54 demo. The Faulkner Focus helmed by Harris Faulkner drew the largest audience in its hour at 11 AM/ET with 1.9 million viewers and 219,000 in 25-54. The Faulkner Focus also closed the gap with ABC's The View during the second quarter, while ensemble program Outnumbered also topped cable news at 12 PM/ET with over 2 million viewers and 241,000 in 25-54. From 1-3 PM/ET, America Reports with John Roberts and Sandra Smith was the most-watched program with 1.9 million viewers and 227,000 in 25-54. The Story with Martha MacCallum drew the largest cable news audience at 3 PM/ET, averaging 1.9 million viewers and 229,000 in 25-54. At 4 PM/ET, FNC's newest program The Will Cain Show averaged 2.2 million viewers and 265,000 in the 25-54 demo, a 40% increase with viewers over the yearly 4 PM/ET average. Each daytime program surpassed CBS Mornings (1,918,000 viewers), NBC's Today Third Hour (1,704,000 viewers), ABC's GMA3 (1,226,000 viewers) and NBC's Today with Jenna & Friends (1,144,000 viewers).
The FOX & Friends franchise remained cable news' most-watched morning shows throughout the quarter. FOX & Friends (6-9 AM/ET) delivered 1.4 million viewers and 185,000 in 25-54 and beat ABC's GMA3, NBC's Jenna and Friends, NBC's Kelly Clarkson Showand more. From 5-6 AM/ET, FOX & Friends FIRST outpaced the competition with 600,000 viewers and 101,000 in 25-54 as FOX & Friends Weekend averaged 1.4 million viewers and 170,000 in the key demo.
FNC also continued to excel against the competition throughout the weekend for the quarter, outpacing CNN and MSNBC combined across both total day and primetime with viewers. On Saturdays, The Big Weekend Show from 6-8 PM/ET led the quarter in viewers with 1.5 million and 164,000 in the 25-54 demo. FOX News Live (Saturday, 10 AM – 2 PM/ET) was the top show in the demo with 172,000 in 25-54 and 1.4 million overall viewers. At 8 PM/ET, Life, Liberty & Levin (weekends, 8 PM/ET) commanded 1.379 million viewers and 115,000 in the 25-54 demo. FOX News Saturday Night with Jimmy Failla (Saturday, 10 PM/ET) averaged 1.2 million viewers and 138,000 in 25-54 demo. The newest addition to the lineup, My View with Lara Trump at 9 PM/ET secured 1.371 million viewers and 121,000 in the 25-54 demo. FOX Report with Jon Scott(1.1 million viewers and 136,000 25-54 demo) and The Journal Editorial Report (937,000 viewers and 122,000 25-54 demo) both were in the top 10 most-watched programs for the day.
On Sundays at 10 AM/ET, Maria Bartiromo's Sunday Morning Futures was the top-rated show across the board, garnering 1.9 million viewers and 225,000 in the 25-54 demo. At 11 AM/ET, MediaBuzz, hosted by Howard Kurtz, delivered 1.3 million viewers and 151,000 in the 25-54 demo. In primetime, Sunday Night in America (Sunday, 9 PM/ET) averaged 1.7 million viewers and 179,000 in the 25-54 demo while Life, Liberty & Levin saw 1.6 million viewers and 167,000 in the 25-54 demo. One Nation with Brian Kilmeade at 10 PM/ET, commanded 1.6 million viewers and was second in the 25-54 demo with 186,000 viewers.
2Q'25 NIELSEN NUMBERS VS. 2Q'24 (Monday-Sunday, Live + Same Day):
TOTAL DAY+
FNC: 1,632,000 total viewers (202,000 in 25-54) up 25% with viewers and up 31% with A25-54
CNN: 406,000 total viewers (71,000 in 25-54) down 14% with viewers and down 16% with A25-54
MSNBC: 596,000 total viewers (57,000 in 25-54) down 26% with and down 31% with A25-54
PRIMETIME (8-11p)
FNC: 2,633,000 in total viewers (304,000 in A25-54) up 25% with viewers and up 34% with A25-54
CNN: 538,000 in total viewers (105,000 in A25-54) down 13% with viewers and down 15% with A25-54
MSNBC: 1,008,000 in total viewers (91,000 in A25-54) down 15% with viewers and down 20% with A25-54
JUNE 2025 vs JUNE 2024 NIELSEN NUMBERS (Monday-Sunday, Live + Same Day):
TOTAL DAY
FNC: 1,710,000 total viewers (220,000 in 25-54) up 27% P2+ and up 38% A25-54
CNN: 446,000 total viewers (83,000 in 25-54) down 2% P2+ and down 3% A25-54
MSNBC: 593,000 total viewers (60,000 in 25-54) down 22% P2+ and down 24% A25-54
PRIMETIME (8-11P)
FNC: 2,803,000 total viewers (345,000 in 25-54) up 23% P2+ and up 35% A25-54
CNN: 642,000 total viewers (134,000 in 25-54) down 7% P2+ and down 13% A25-54
MSNBC: 955,000 total viewers (95,000 in 25-54) down 18% P2+ and down 18% A25-54
2Q '25 RATINGS FOR THE TOP FIVE PROGRAMS IN CABLE NEWS:
Total Viewers: The Five (3,851,000), Jesse Watters Primetime (3,431,000), Gutfeld! (3,009,000), Hannity (3,006,000), Special Report with Bret Baier (2,888,000),
Adults 25-54: The Five (410,000), Jesse Watters Primetime (396,000), Hannity (370,000), Gutfeld! (360,000), The Ingraham Angle (317,000)
JUNE 2025 RATINGS FOR THE TOP FIVE PROGRAMS IN CABLE NEWS:
Total Viewers: The Five (3,760,000), Jesse Watters Primetime (3,406,000), Hannity (3,252,000), Gutfeld! (3,053,000), Special Report with Bret Baier (2,893,000)
Adults 25-54: Hannity (434,000), The Five (417,000), Jesse Watters Primetime (403,000), Gutfeld! (376,000), Special Report with Bret Baier (334,000)
Source: Nielsen. Live+SD. 2Q'25 quarterly and June 2025 monthly ratings data. Average audience for cable news networks M-Sunday based on Total Day and Prime (6a-6a and 8P-11P), P2+, P25-54, P18-49. Cable News/Broadcast Program averages exclude repeats/specials and include the corresponding program name. Includes only current Fox News lineup.
FOX News Media operates the FOX News Channel (FNC), FOX Business Network (FBN), FOX News Digital, FOX News Audio, FOX News Books, the direct-to-consumer streaming services FOX Nation and FOX News International and the free ad-supported television service FOX Weather. Currently the number one network in all of cable, FNC has also been the most watched television news channel for more than 23 consecutive years, while FBN is the top business channel on cable. Owned by Fox Corporation, FOX News Media reaches nearly 200 million people each month.
FOX News Media Contact:
Alexandra Coscia: 212.301.3272 or Alexandra.Coscia@FOX.com
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