Fox News Channel Dominates Weekly Ratings Race

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

Fox News was easily the most watched network in primetime and on a total day basis for the first week of February, according to Nielsen.

Fox News averaged 3.2 million viewers during the week of Jan. 30 through Feb. 5, doubling the 1.6 million count of second place HGTV, Nielsen reported.  USA Network finished third with 1.5 million viewers, followed by MSNBC with 1.4 million, and TBS and History with 1.3 million viewers each.

CNN, Disney Channel, Discovery and ESPN all averaged 1.2 million viewers to round out the top 10.

Fox News was also better than Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, HGTV and CNN on a 24-hour basis. USA Network was the most watched network among adults 18-49 for the week, while Adult Swim was the top choice in the demo on a 24-hour basis, reported Nielsen.

Fox News programming also dominated nine of the top 10 most watched shows for the week, 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.