Fox News Tops May Ratings As Cable Networks See Audience Year-Over-Year Growth During Month Dominated By Trump Trial Coverage
Fox News saw double digit ratings growth during the month of May, as all cable networks some some year-over-year total viewership uptick with Donald Trump’s hush money trial dominating the coverage.
In primetime, Fox News averaged 2 million viewers, up 41% from the same month a year earlier. MSNBC averaged 1.16 million, about the same as last year, and CNN averaged 518,000, up 5%.
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It was a mixed picture in the 25-54 demo. Fox News averaged 199,000, up 47% from a year earlier, compared to 110,000 for MSNBC, down 8% and CNN with 96,000, down 15%.
Another potential factor in Fox News’ ratings gains: In May 2023, Fox News saw a primetime ratings dip after the network parted ways with its top personality, Tucker Carlson, and initially filled the slot with guest hosts. The network has seen some audience recovery since Jesse Watters filled the slot permanently. In his last full month on the air, Carlson averaged 3.25 million viewers in March, 2023, his last full month on the air. Jesse Watters Primetime averaged 2.67 million in the most recent month.
In total day in May, Fox News averaged 1.29 million, up 18% versus 2023. MSNBC averaged 816,000, up 11%, and CNN posted 468,000, up 13%. In the 25-54 demo, Fox News averaged 17%, compared to MSNBC with 83,000, down 2%, and CNN with 81,000, down 4%.
Fox News’ The Five topped total viewers during the month, averaging 3.08 million, followed by Jesse Watters Primetime with 2.67 million, Hannity with 2.35 million, Gutfeld! with 2.25 million and The Ingraham Angle with 2.17 million.
In adults 25-54, Fox News’ Gutfeld! averaged 278,000, followed by The Five with 266,000, Jesse Watters Primetime with 241,000, Hannity with 236,000 and The Ingraham Angle with 198,000.
The caveat to those rankings is MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show, which airs on Mondays. On those nights, Maddow’s show averaged 2.4 million viewers, outpacing Hannity in the 9 p.m. ET slot.
The figures are from Nielsen via Fox News and MSNBC.
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