Weekly Cable Ratings: Fox News Rebounds in Primetime

By R. Thomas Umstead
last updated

CNN wins second straight total day crown

Tucker Carlson Tonight
(Image credit: Fox News)

The cable news networks continue to dominate the weekly ratings charts as Fox News, CNN and MSNBC take the top spots on the primetime and total day charts, according to Nielsen.

Fox News regained the top spot in primetime, averaging 3.4 million viewers during the week of Nov. 9 to Nov. 15 to top the 2.3 million viewers garnered by CNN, which took the top spot in the category last week, according to Nielsen. MSNBC finished a close third with 2.2 million viewers.

Cable news shows represented all but five of the top 50 most-watched shows for the week, led by Fox News’s Tucker Carlson Tonight. 

Related: Trump Reportedly Looking to Take on Fox News with Streaming Channel

ESPN finished fourth for the week in primetime with 2.1 million viewers, followed by Hallmark Channel with 1.6 million viewers.

CNN topped the total day charts for the second straight week, topping Fox News and MSNBC. Hallmark Channel and ESPN rounded out the top five most-watched networks on a 24-hour basis, said 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.