Fox News Outpaces Cable Nets for Second Straight Week

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

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

Fox averaged 1.8 million viewers to finish first during the period of Aug. 10 to Aug. 16, according to Nielsen. Disney Channel finished second for the week with 1.7 million viewers, followed by TNT’s 1.6 million viewers and HGTV and TBS, which tied with 1.5 million watchers.

USA and History (tied with 1.4 million viewers); Discovery Channel (1.1 million); NFL Network and Adult Swim (tied with 1 million) rounded out the top 10 list. 

Kids-targeted networks Disney Channel and Nickelodeon tied for first place on a 24-hour basis with 1.3 million viewers each, followed closely by Adult Swim, Fox News and Cartoon Network (1.1 million).

TBS was the top choice among adults 18-49 in primetime, while USA was tops in the demo on a total day basis, according to Nielsen.

Most Watched Shows During The Week Of Aug. 10-Aug. 16

DateShowNetworkTotal Viewers

8/10   Major Crimes                                     TNT                             4.4 million

8/11   Rizzoli & Isles                                     TNT                             4.3 million

8/16   NASCAR Sprint Cup Race                 NBCSN                        4.2 million

8/10   WWE Entertainment (9-10 pm)          USA                             3.9 million

8/10   WWE Entertainment (8-9 pm)            USA                             3.7 million

8/10   WWE Entertainment (10-11:09)         USA                             3.7 million

8/11   The Have And The Have Nots            OWN                           3.1 million

8/12   Pretty Little Liars                                ABC Family                 3.0 million

8/12   The Kelly File                                     Fox News                    2.9 million

8/10   Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta                   Vh1                             2.9 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.