Fox News Channel Ends May on Top of Weekly Cable Ratings Chart

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

Fox News Channel last week returned to top of the weekly primetime ratings among cable networks, according to Nielsen.

Fox News averaged 2.3 million viewers to finish first during the week of May 22 to May 28, unseating NBA playoffs-infused TNT, which finished second with 2 million viewers, Nielsen said. 

MSNBC finished third with 1.6 million viewers, followed by USA Network and HGTV, both tied with 1.3 million viewers.

TBS and ESPN tied for sixth with 1.2 million viewers each, followed by CNN and History (tied with 1 million viewers), and NBCSN (927,000 watchers.) 

Fox News was also the most watched cable network on a 24-hour basis for the 21st straight week, besting Nickelodeon, MSNBC, CNN and Adult Swim.

TNT was the most watched network among adults 18-49 in primetime as well as across female demos 18-49, 25-54 and 18-34, according to Nielsen.

Most Watched Cable Shows During The Week Of May 22-28

DateShowNetworkTotal Viewers

5/23   NBA Playoffs – Boston/Cleveland                         TNT                             7.0 million

5/25   NBA Playoffs – Cleveland/Boston                         ESPN                           5.8 million

5/22   NBA Playoffs – Golden State-San Antonio            ESPN                            5.7 million

5/22   Tucker Carlson Tonight                                      Fox News                      3.4 million

5/22   Hannity                                                            Fox News                      3.3 million

5/22   Shepard Smith Reporting                                   Fox News                      3.3 million

5/25   Rachel Maddow Show                                        MSNBC                         2.9 million

5/25   NHL Playoffs – Ottawa/Pittsburgh                       NBCSN                         2.9 million

5/24   Tucker Carlson Tonight                                      Fox News                     2.8 million

5/25   Tucker Carlson Tonight                                     Fox News                      2.8 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.