Weekly Cable Ratings: Fox News Back on Top

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News network tops primetime, total day charts

'Tucker Carlson Tonight'
(Image credit: Fox News)

Fox News last week was the most watched cable network in primetime and on a total day basis for the first time in 2021.

The network -- which was 2020's most watched cable network in primetime and total day -- averaged 2.4 million subscribers in primetime for the week of Feb. 15-Feb. 21 to lead all networks, according to Nielsen. MSNBC was second with 1.9 million viewers, followed  by CNN’s 1.6 million viewers.

Read also: Fox News Grabs 2020 Cable Ratings Crown 

HGTV was the top entertainment-based network for 1.1 million viewers, followed by History at 1 million viewers. Hallmark Channel (996,000), TNT (909,000), ESPN (882,000), TLC (855,000) and TBS (829,000) round out the top 10 primetime list.

Fox News’ 1.3 million viewers on a total day basis topped MSNBC’s 1.1 million viewers, as well as CNN (1 million viewers), HGTV (678,000) and Hallmark Channel (580,000), 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.