Fox News Tops Weekly Ratings Chart

Fox News Channel emerged as the most watched basic cable network in primetime last week, according to Nielsen.

Fox News averaged 1.7 million viewers, besting Disney Channel, HGTV and USA’s 1.6 million tally each for top honors during the week of July 13-19, according to Nielsen.

TNT finished fifth with 1.5 million, followed by Discovery, ESPN and History, all with 1.4 million watchers. TBS (1.3 million viewers) and FX (1.1 million) rounded out the top 10.

Disney Channel was the top network on a total day basis, with Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim and Fox News following closely behind.

Among advertiser-coveted adult 18-49 viewers, ESPN was the most watched network in primetime for the week, while Adult Swim was tops on a 24-hour basis.

ESPN’s live coverage of Major League Baseball’s Home Run Derby was the most-watched show for the week on cable, said Nielsen.

Most Watched Shows For The Week of July 13-19

Date Program  Network  Viewers 

7/13                  Home Run Derby                                 ESPN                           7.1 million

7/13                  Major Crimes                                        TNT                             4.1 million

7/14                  Rizzoli & Isles                                       TNT                             4.1 million

7/13                  Home Run Derby (Pre-Show)            ESPN                             4.0 million

7/17                  Alaskan Bush People                         Discovery                       3.7 million

7/19                  NASCAR Sprint Cup                           NBCSN                        3.6 million

7/13                  WWE Entertainment (10-11:16)          USA                             3.6 million

7/13                  WWE Entertainment (9-10 p.m.)        USA                              3.5 million

7/13                  WWE Entertainment (8-9 p.m.)          USA                             3.4 million

7/19                  Golf: Open Championship                  ESPN                          3.3 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.