Fox News Whips Cable Nets in August

Fox News was sizzling during the dog days of summer, riding a record primetime ratings performance from its Republican Debate telecast to lead all cable networks in August.

Fox News averaged 2.4 million viewers to top all cable networks during the period of July 27 to Aug. 30, bolstered by the 25 million viewers the network drew for its Aug. 6 Presidential Primary debate, which was the most watched show of the month.

Disney Channel and TNT tied for second with a distant 1.9 million viewers each, according to network officials.

USA Network was fourth with 1.7 million viewers, followed by HGTV and History with 1.5 million viewers each, according to Nielsen. TBS (1.4 million viewers), Discovery and AMC (1.2 million) and ESPN, Fx and Lifetime (all tied with 1.1 million) rounded out the top 10.

Disney was the top choice among all networks during on a 24-hour basis, followed by Nickelodeon, Fox News, Adult Swim and Cartoon Network, according to 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.