FOX News Channel (FNC) solidified its position as a television powerhouse in May, surpassing broadcast network ABC in weekday primetime viewership and continuing its reign across cable news, according to Nielsen Media Research data.
FNC averaged 2.9 million viewers in weekday primetime, placing it as the fourth highest-rated network in all of television, ahead of ABC’s 2.7 million. The network also outpaced ESPN’s 2.3 million viewers during weekday primetime, even amidst NBA and NHL playoff coverage.
FNC’s strong performance extended across demographics, with Nielsen MRI Fusion data indicating more Democrats, Independents, and Republicans tuned into FNC than any other cable network in total day. The channel also claimed the top spot in cable news among Asian and Hispanic viewers, as well as upscale audiences, throughout May’s total day viewership.
For the month, FNC delivered 2.5 million viewers in primetime (8-11 PM/ET) and 262,000 in the key 25-54 demographic, marking a 23% increase in total viewership and a significant 32% rise in the demo year-over-year. In total day, FNC attracted 1.6 million viewers and 180,000 in the 25-54 demo, reflecting year-over-year growth of 21% and 22%, respectively. FNC captured nearly 65% of the cable news share with viewers across total day and primetime. All of FNC’s weekday programs reported double-digit year-over-year gains.
Competitors See Historic Lows
In stark contrast, both CNN and MSNBC registered historically poor performances in May. CNN recorded its second-worst month ever in the 25-54 demo for both total day (59,000) and primetime (76,000). MSNBC experienced its second-worst-rated May in network history in the demo for total day (49,000) and primetime (73,000).
MSNBC’s figures represent a 41% drop in the total day demo and a 34% decline in the primetime demo compared to May 2024. Its new lineup also struggled, with May viewership down 21% in total day and 30% in primetime versus April 2025.
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CNN’s “The Lead with Jake Tapper” fell to 525,000 viewers, its lowest since August 2015. On MSNBC, “Morning Joe” hit its second-worst month in the 25-54 demo since its launch, with 57,000 viewers. “The Briefing with Jen Psaki” (Tuesday-Friday, 9 PM/ET) averaged 973,000 total viewers and only 74,000 in the demo, a collapse of 46% and 54% respectively compared to MSNBC’s pre-May average for that slot.
FNC Program Highlights
FNC’s “The Five” continued its reign as the most-watched show in cable news, drawing nearly 4 million (3.8 million) viewers and 368,000 in the 25-54 demo. The show also outperformed broadcast programs like NBC’s “Law and Order SVU” (3.7 million) and “CBS Evening News” (3.7 million).
“Jesse Watters Primetime” followed closely, commanding 3.3 million viewers and 363,000 in the demo, marking a 51% year-over-year increase in the 25-54 demographic. The program surpassed ABC’s “The Rookie” (3 million) and CBS’ “S.W.A.T.” (2.9 million).
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