Fox News Sweeps Cable Weekly Ratings Charts

Fox News continued its dominance of the weekly summer cable ratings charts, finishing as the most watched network in primetime and on a total day basis, said Nielsen.

Fox News averaged 2.3 million viewers during the week of June 5 to June 11 to finish first among all cable networks in primetime for the third straight week, according to Nielsen. MSNBC finished second with 1.8 million viewers, followed by USA Network with 1.4 million viewers.

HGTV and TBS tied for fourth with 1.3 million viewers, while History and CNN tied for fifth with 1.1 million viewers. Discovery Channel (1 million viewers), ESPN (979,000), A&E (938,000), Investigation Discovery (933,000) and Disney Channel (910,000) round out the top 10 list.

Fox News also topped cable’s weekly charts on a total day basis for a 23rd consecutive week with 1.5 million viewers, said Nielsen, topping Nickelodeon, MSNBC, CNN and Disney Channel.

TBS was the most watched network among adults 18-49, while Adult Swim was the top choice on a total day basis within the demo.

Most Watched Cable Shows During The Week of June 5 to June 11

DateShowNetworkTotal Viewers

6/11       NASCAR (Live)                                                 FS1                                     3.5 million

6/8         Hannity                                                           Fox News                              3.5 million

6/8         Rachel Maddow Show                                        MSNBC                                3.5 million

6/8         Tucker Carlson Tonight                                      Fox News                              3.2 million

6/8         At This Hour                                                    CNN                                     3.2 million

6/6         Rachel Maddow Show                                       MSNBC                                 3.1 million

6/8         America’s Newsroom                                        Fox News                               3.1 million

6/8         America’s Newsroom                                        Fox News                               3.1 million

6/5         WWE Monday Night Raw                                  USA Network                          3.1 million

6/5         WWE Monday Night Raw                                  USA Network                          3.1 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.