Fox News Grabs Top Cable Weekly Ratings Slots

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

Fox News finished last week as the most watched cable network in primetime, according to Nielsen.

Fox News averaged 2.5 million viewers to hold off a streaking Hallmark Channel and ESPN for first place during the week of Dec. 5 to Dec. 11, according to network officials.

Hallmark Channel, powered by its lineup of holiday-themed programming, finished second for the third straight week with 2.2 million viewers, tied with ESPN, according to Nielsen. Discovery Channel was fourth with 1.5 million viewers followed by a three-way tie for fifth between Freeform, USA Network and AMC, all averaging 1.4 million viewers for the week.

HGTV (1.3 million viewers), TBS (1.2 million) History and TNT (tied with 1.1 million viewers) rounded out the top 10 most watched shows for the week.

Fox News was also the most watched network on a 24-hour basis, followed by Nickelodeon, Hallmark, ESPN and Adult Swim, according to Nielsen.

ESPN was the top choice in primetime for viewers in the adult 18-49 demo for the week, while Adult Swim took top honors in the demo on a total day basis.

Most Watched Cable TV Shows During The Week of Dec. 5 to Dec. 11

Date    Show                                                            Network                     Total viewers

12/11 The Walking Dead                                        AMC                            10.5 million

12/5   Monday Night Football                                 ESPN                             8.0 million

12/11 Love You Like Christmas                              Hallmark                      4.3 million

12/11 Talking Dead                                                 AMC                              4.3 million

12/7   The O’Reilly Factor                                        Fox News                      4.0 million

12/6   The O’Reilly Factor                                        Fox News                      4.0 million

12/8   Thursday Night Football                              ESPN                             3.7 million

12/5   The O’Reilly Factor                                        Fox News                     3.7 million

12/10 Nutcracker Christmas                                   Hallmark                      3.7 million

12/8   The O’Reilly Factor                                        Fox News                      3.6 million

Source: Nielsen         

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.