Fox News Tops Cable Weekly Ratings Race

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

Fox News Channel topped cable’s weekly ratings charts in primetime and on a total day basis, said Nielsen Media Research.

Fox News drew 2.5 million viewers during the week of Feb. 11 to Feb. 17, topping TNT -- which was bolstered by its coverage of the NBA All-Star game -- and MSNBC, both of which tied for second with 1.9 million viewers.

ESPN finished fourth with an average of 1.4 million subscribers, followed by HGTV with 1.3 million watchers. History (1.2 million), Hallmark Channel (1.1 million), and Investigation Discovery, USA Network, CNN and TBS (all tied with 1 million viewers) rounded out the top 10 most watched network, said Nielsen.

Fox News topped weekly total day ratings for the sixth consecutive week, averaging 1.4 million viewers. MSNBC, Nickelodeon, Investigation Discovery, HGTV and CNN rounded out the top five in the category. 

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.