FOX News Channel Finishes 2018 as Most Watched Cable Network in Total Day & Primetime for Third Consecutive Year and Notches Highest-Rated Primetime Ever

FOX News Channel (FNC) marked its highest-rated year in primetime in its 22-year history with 2.5 million total viewers and finished the year as the most-watched basic cable network for the third consecutive year in both primetime and total day (1.4 million) among total viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research. For the second consecutive year, Hannity was the number one program in cable news with 3.3 million viewers. FNC was also the number one network in upscale cable rankings (income of $100K+) for Monday through Friday on a 24-hour basis in total viewers, as well as the 25-54 and 35-64 demos, and number two in the 18-49 demo, only slightly behind sports-focused ESPN.

In a joint statement on the network’s record ratings, FNC’s CEO Suzanne Scott and FNC’s President Jay Wallace said, “FOX News continues to outperform other basic cable networks, proving once again that our news coverage and premiere team of journalists and opinion hosts are the best in the business. With the recent launch of FOX Nation, an increased focus on digital and the strong ratings momentum we have built, we are confident that 2019 will offer our loyal viewers even more ways to engage with FOX News.”

In cable news, FNC secured 10 of the top 15 programs in total viewers, as well as eight of the top 15 spots among the 25-54 demo. Furthermore, FNC’s Tucker Carlson Tonight, Hannity and The Ingraham Angle claimed three of the top four programs in the younger 18-49 demo. *Please see attached for the corresponding Nielsen program rankers for total viewers, the 25-54 demo, the 18-49 demo and all additional Nielsen ratings.

Kicking off FNC’s evening programming at 5PM/ET, The Five averaged 2.4 million total viewers and 425,000 in the 25-54 demo, ranking fifth in both categories. At 6PM/ET, the network’s political news program Special Report with Bret Baier averaged 2.3 million total viewers and 419,000 in the 25-54 demo and at 7PM/ET, The Story with Martha MacCallum delivered 2.1 million total viewers and 413,000 in the 25-54 demo. Tucker Carlson Tonight at 8PM/ET, was the third-most watched program for the year in total viewers with 2.8 million and 557,000 in the 25-54 demo. In primetime, for the second consecutive year, Hannity topped all of cable news with 3.3 million total viewers (up 17%) and 643,000 in the 25-54 demo (up 11%). At 10PM/ET, The Ingraham Angle ranked fourth in total viewers with 2.6 million (up 4%) and fourth in the 25-54 demo with 515,000. FOX News @ Night with Shannon Bream at 11PM/ET closed out the year with 1.5 million total viewers (up 5%) and 349,000 in the 25-54 demo.