Fox News Takes October Cable Ratings Crown

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

Fox News Channel continued its domination of the cable network ratings race with a sweep of the October primetime and total day charts, according to Nielsen.

Fox News was the most watched cable network among total viewers for the month (Oct. 1-28), averaging 2.8 million viewers, said Nielsen. The win marked Fox News’ fifth consecutive primetime monthly ratings win.

ESPN finished second for 2.6 million viewers, followed by TBS Network (2.4 million), MSNBC (1.5 million), and FS1 (1.3 million).

USA Network, Hallmark Channel and HGTV (all tied with 1.1 million), CNN (931,000) and TNT (911 million) rounded out the top 10.

Fox News also finished first on a total day basis for the 28th consecutive month, followed by ESPN, MSNBC, Nickelodeon, TBS and Hallmark Channel, 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.