Kavanaugh Hearings Boost Fox News Weekly Ratings

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

Last week’s Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Judge Brett Kavanaugh helped propel Fox News to a primetime weekly ratings win, according to Nielsen.

Fox News averaged 3.2 million viewers in primetime to top all cable networks during the week of Sept. 24 to Sept. 30, said Nielsen. The network’s performance was bolstered by its coverage of the Sept. 27 Kavanaugh hearings, for which the network averaged 5.7 million total viewers and 1.1 million viewers within the target 25-54 demo from 10 am to 7 pm, according to Nielsen.

ESPN finished second with 2.5 million viewers, followed by MSNBC with 2.1 million viewers. CNN, USA and HGTV all tied for fourth with 1.1 million viewers.

Fox also dominated the total day chart, averaging 2 million viewers in taking the top spot for the 38th consecutive week. MSNBC, CNN, ESPN and Nickelodeon rounded out the top five on the chart, according to 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.