Cable News Ratings: Fox News Maintains Dominance Amidst Schedule Shift
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New York, NY - August 17, 2025 – Fox News Channel continued its reign as the most-watched cable news network on Tuesday, August 16, 2025, despite a temporary dip in viewership for one of its primetime programs. The network’s overall performance underscores its continued influence in the rapidly evolving media landscape. these ratings are crucial for advertisers and provide insight into public engagement wiht news and opinion programming.
Impact of Jesse Watters‘ Absence
The absence of Jesse Watters from his 8 p.m. ET show, “Primetime,” resulted in a decline to third place in both total viewers and the key 25-54 demographic. The show garnered 290,000 viewers in the 25-54 demographic and 2.641 million total viewers.
Did You Know?
Ratings are often used as a benchmark for the success of a show and can influence advertising rates and renewal decisions.
fox News Overall Performance
Despite the shift with “Primetime,” Fox News remained the leader across both the total day and prime-time slots. “The Five” consistently topped the charts, securing its position as the network’s most popular program. The network averaged 175,000 viewers in the 25-54 demographic and 1.604 million total viewers for the entire day. In prime time, Fox News averaged 292,000 viewers in the 25-54 demographic and 2.625 million total viewers.
CNN and MSNBC Ratings
CNN saw its highest viewership with the 5 p.m. edition of “The Lead” with Jake Tapper, attracting 511,000 total viewers. MSNBC’s top performer was “The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell,” which drew 1.246 million total viewers. CNN averaged 54,000 viewers in the 25-54 demographic for the day and 97,000 in prime time. MSNBC recorded 55,000 viewers in the 25-54 demographic during the day and 81,000 during prime time.
Pro Tip:
understanding these demographic breakdowns is essential for networks to tailor their content and attract specific audiences.
Detailed Ratings Breakdown
Here’s a complete look at the ratings for each network across different time slots:
| Fox News (FNC) | CNN | MSNBC | |
| 4PM | Cain: 1,972 | hunt: 426 | Wallace: 1,022 |
| 5PM | The Five: 3,332 | Tapper: 511 | Wallace: 981 |
| 6PM | Baier: 2,385 | Tapper: 433 | The beat: 687 |
| 7PM | Ingraham Angle: 2,463 | Outfront: 451 | Weeknight: 577 |
| 8PM | Primetime: 2,641 | Cooper: 509 | Hayes: 604 |
| 9PM | Hannity: 2,422 | Collins: 503 | Psaki: 831 |
| 10PM | Gutfeld!: 2,811 | Phillip: 457 | O’Donnell: 1,246 |
| 11PM | Gallagher: 1,420 | Coates: 267 | Ruhle: 612 |
The Broader Context of Cable News
The cable news landscape has become increasingly competitive, with networks vying for audience share in a fragmented media habitat. According to a Pew Research Center study, cable news remains a significant source of news for many Americans, especially those who identify as politically conservative [1].The rise of streaming services and digital platforms has also presented both challenges and opportunities for traditional cable networks.
What factors do you believe are driving the continued success of Fox News in the cable news market? How will the evolving media landscape impact the future of cable news viewership?
Evergreen Context: the Evolution of Cable News
The rise of cable news in the 1980s and 1990s revolutionized the way Americans consumed news, offering 24/7 coverage and a wider range of perspectives. Networks like CNN, MSNBC, and fox News have each carved out distinct niches, catering to different ideological viewpoints and programming preferences. The current era is marked by increasing polarization and the proliferation of misinformation, posing significant challenges to the credibility and trustworthiness of news organizations.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the importance of the 25-54 demographic in cable news ratings? This demographic is highly valued by advertisers as it represents a key consumer group.
- How do cable news ratings impact programming decisions? Networks use ratings data to determine which shows to renew, cancel, or modify.
- What is “Live+SD” in the context of ratings? “Live+SD” refers to live viewership plus same-day playback via DVR.
- why is “The Five” consistently a top-performing show on Fox News? Its panel format and diverse perspectives appeal to a broad audience.
- How has the rise of streaming affected cable news viewership? streaming services offer alternative news sources, leading to increased competition for cable networks.
