Fox News had its highest-rated year in prime-time viewership in 2019 since the network began more than two decades ago.
The network’s prime-time hosts averaged an audience of 2.5 million viewers with 390,000 in the 25-54 key age demographic, according to Nielsen Media Research. Sean Hannity led the way for all of cable news, averaging 3.3 million viewers for the third consecutive year. He thanked his viewers and pledged “to work harder than ever in 2020. In 328 Days We The People have the ability to shock the world again.”
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You made this happen. We pledge to work harder than ever in 2020. In 328 Days We The People have the ability to shock the world again. https://t.co/eMergp9aIs— Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) December 11, 2019
Tucker Carlson, despite facing multiple calls for boycotts this year, was the second most-watched program for the year in total viewers with 3 million and 509,000 in the 25-54 demographic. In total, the network claimed nine of the top 15 slots for most-watched cable news programs for the year.
“Once again, FOX News Channel’s team of leading journalists and opinion hosts have led the network to a record-breaking ratings year as the number one network in all of cable for the fourth consecutive year,” Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott and Fox News Media President and Executive Editor Jay Wallace said in a statement.
“FNC continues to exert its dominance in cable television as the country experiences what may be one of the most fervent news cycles in history and we are proud to provide our audience with news and opinion they can trust across a variety of programming,” they added.
Fox’s prime-time lineup drew in significantly larger audiences than the competing programs on MSNBC and CNN. MSNBC averaged 1,753,000 viewers with 281,000 in the demographic, while CNN fell far behind both networks with 972,000 viewers and 256,000 in the target demographic. Their ratings were down 3% and 2% from the year prior.
