Fox News Romps Over Its Competition in Weekly Cable Ratings Race

Fox News continued its summer ratings dominance last week, further extending its winning streak in the primetime and total day weekly cable ratings race.

Fox News averaged 2.1 million viewers in primetime during the week of Aug. 7 to Aug. 13 to top all cable networks for the 12th consecutive week, according to Nielsen. 

MSNBC was second with 1.7 million viewers, followed by USA and HGTV, which tied with 1.4 million viewers.

The NFL Network settled into a fifth place tie with TBS (1.2 million viewers), followed by History, CNN and A&E (tied with 1 million) and Investigation Discovery (961,000), said Nielsen 

Fox News was tops on the weekly cable total day ratings chart for a 32nd consecutive week, besting Nickelodeon, MSNBC, HGTV and Adult Swim.

TBS was the most watched network in primetime among the adults 18-49, while Adult Swim was the top choice for viewers in the demo, said Nielsen.

Most Watched Shows For The Week of Aug. 8 to Aug. 13 

DateShowNetworkTotal Viewers

8/13   Game Of Thrones                                          HBO                            10.7 million

8/7     WWE Monday Night Raw (9-10pm)                 USA                              3.3 million

8/7     WWE Monday Night Raw (8-9pm)                   USA                              3.2 million

8/13   NASCAR Cup Series Race                               NBCSN                          3.1 million

8/7     WWE Monday Night Raw (10-11:11pm)           USA                             3.1 million

8/9     Rachel Maddow Show                                    MSNBC                          2.8 million

8/10   Rachel Maddow Show                                    MSNBC                          2.7 million

8/7     Hannity                                                        Fox News                      2.6 million

8/8     Hannity                                                        Fox News                      2.6 million

8/13   Rick & Morty                                                 Adult Swim                   2.6 million

Source: Nielsen

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.