Fox News Channel continues to reign supreme in the cable news realm, rated the top cable news network in both daytime and prime-time viewing for 65 consecutive “quarters” — or over 16 years, according to Nielsen Media Research numbers released Tuesday.
“Hannity” is the most watched cable news program of all, averaging an audience of 3.2 million, followed by MSNBC’s “Rachel Maddow Show” with 2.9 million.
Three more Fox News shows round out the top five in the field: “Tucker Carlson Tonight,” “The Ingraham Angle” and “Special Report with Bret Baier” — which each average between 2.5 million and 2.9 million viewers.
Nielsen numbers show that Fox News average about 1.4 million viewers during the day, compared to 1 million for MSNBC and 713,000 for CNN. In prime time, Fox News draws 2.5 million, while MSNBC garners 1.8 million and CNN 985,000.
Additionally, Fox News claimed 14 of the top 20 cable news programs in total viewers during the day.
In the meantime, Fox Business Network also remains the top-rated business network on television for the sixth consecutive quarter — or the last 18 months, according to Nielsen. The network had six of the top seven business programs on cable, and continues to outpace CNBC in total viewers, with an audience number that is 19 percent ahead of its rival.
“Varney and Co” was the highest-rated market program in business television for the quarter while “Closing Bell with Liz Claman” also placed in the top four programs. “Lou Dobbs Tonight” continues to be the No. 1 rated news program on business television.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.
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