Weekly Cable Ratings: Fox News, Cable News Networks Continue to Sizzle

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

Fox News continued its ratings roll, topping both the primetime and total day ratings charts for more than 25 straight weeks. 

Fox News averaged 3 million viewers in primetime for the week of July 13 to July 19 -- the network's 26th straight week at the top of the chart -- besting second place MSNBC which averaged 2 million viewers during the week, according to Nielsen. CNN finished third with 1.6 million viewers, keeping the three cable news networks as the most-watched networks in cable throughout the month of July.

HGTV and TLC tied for fourth with 1.2 million viewers, followed by Hallmark Channel with 1 million watchers. TBS (987,000), Food Network (798,000), History (797,000), and Discovery Channel (727,000) rounded out the top 10 most watched networks for the week.

Fox News led the industry on a 24-hour basis for the 28th straight week, followed by MSNBC, CNN, HGTV 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.