FOX News Media's Inauguration Coverage Is Most Watched in Cable News History With 11.7 Million Viewers
Co-Anchored by Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum, FNC's Coverage was the Highest Rated Non-Primetime Telecast in Cable News History with 11.7 Million Viewers and 2.5 million in A25-54
FOX News Secured 80% of Cable News Audience Share in Viewers During Special Programming and was Only Network to Notch Gains versus 2021 and 2017
MSNBC Delivered its Lowest-Rated Inauguration Day Coverage Ever and CNN had its Second Smallest Inauguration Day Audience
FOX News Media's special programming surrounding the inauguration of President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance was the highest rated in cable news history, according to data from Nielsen Media Research. Additionally, FNC's special coverage marked the highest non-primetime cable news telecast in history and posted triple digit increases versus the inauguration of President Joe Biden in 2021 and grew in viewership versus 2017. Coverage across FOX News Channel (FNC) and FOX Business Network (FBN) peaked at 12 million viewers and 2.6 million in A25-54 in the 12 PM/ET hour. From 11:30 AM to 1 PM/ET, FNC's Inauguration of Donald Trump, co-anchored by chief political anchor Special Report's Bret Baier and anchor and executive editor of The Story Martha MacCallum, garnered 11.4 million in viewers and 2.4 million in A25-54, outpacing broadcast networks ABC, NBC, CBS in viewers and all cable networks across the board. It was FNC's highest rated Inauguration Day special programming in network history. During inauguration coverage, FNC held 80% of the cable news audience share in viewers and 77% in the A25-54 demo as MSNBC and CNN marked more lows. According to data from Nielsen MRI Fusion, FNC also had the largest cable news share with democrats (72%) and independents (78%). MSNBC delivered its lowest-rated inauguration day coverage ever (11:30AM-1PM/ET) and CNN fell to its second lowest-rated inauguration in network history.
FNC's programming from 11:30 AM – 5 PM/ET averaged 8.8 million viewers and 1.8 million in A25-54, leading all of television with coverage peaking in the 12 PM/ET hour with 11.7 million viewers and 2.5 million in A25-54. The network was also the most watched following the ceremonies with The Five averaging 8.9 million viewers and 1.5 million A25-54. Special Report with Bret Baier finished the 6PM/ET hour as the highest-rated program in its timeslot with 8.3 million viewers. FNC's primetime lineup from 7-11PM dominated cable television 6.5 million viewers and 1.2 million in A25-54.
According to data from Nielsen MRI Fusion, FNC has the most politically diverse audience in cable news with more democrats and independents watching the network than any other in the genre. Since the November 5th election, network now holds 71% of the cable news share and has delivered the top 534 telecasts. In primetime, the FNC's ratings have risen 2% in viewers compared to 2024 to date as CNN (down 44%) and MSNBC (down 55%) have seen their audiences collapse to record lows in primetime. FNC increased its total day viewership increase by 14% compared to 2024 to date. While FNC commands 2.4 million viewers and 291,000 in the 25-54 demo in primetime post-election, MSNBC has collapsed to 603,000 viewers and 52,000 in the 25-54 demo and CNN dropped to just 411,000 viewers and 82,000 in the 25-54 demo. Across total day, FNC has scored 1.6 million viewers and 204,000 in the 25-54 demo compared to CNN with just 346,000 viewers and 60,000 in the 25-54 demo and MSNBC's 451,000 viewers and only 40,000 in the 25-54 demo.
FBN averaged 300,000 viewers from 11:30AM – 1 PM/ET, reaching its largest audience in the 12PM hour with 307,000 viewers.
FOX News Media's digital properties, according to Adobe Analytics, saw growth compared to the 2021 and 2017 inaugurations. This marked FOX News Digital's best day since the day after the 2024 election with media initiates and minutes spent. Additionally compared to the 2021 inauguration, FOX News Go's unique viewing devices was up 35%, total view time was up 83% and media initiatives was up 72%.
On social media, FOX News Media properties were number one in total social engagement among the news competitive set. The platforms garnered 8.8 million social interactions across Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok according to Emplifi. FOX News was also the top news brand on YouTube driving 142% more video views than NBC News.
Data from Nielsen Media Research
11:30 AM – 1 PM/ET
FNC: 11.4 million P2+; 2.4 million A25-54
CNN: 1.9 million P2+; 605,000 A25-54
MSNBC: 938,000 P2+; 148,000 A25-54
FBN: 300,000 P2+; 21,000 A25-54
ABC: 4.9 million P2+; 1.2 million A25-54
CBS: 4.6 million P2+; 1.1 million A25-54
NBC: 4.8 million P2+; 1.3 million A25-54
12-1 PM/ET
FNC: 11.7 million P2+; 2.5 million A25-54
CNN – 1.9 million P2+; 614,000 A25-54
MSNBC – 974,000 P2+; 150,000 A25-54
FBN – 307,000 P2+; 17,000 A25-54
7 – 11 PM/ET
FNC: 6.5 million P2+; 1.2 million A25-54
CNN: 1.1 million P2+; 309,000 A25-54
MSNBC: 1 million P2+; 97,000 A25-54
8 – 11 PM/ET
FNC: 6.3 million P2+; 1.1 million A25-54
CNN: 1.1 million P2+; 286,000 A25-54
MSNBC: 1.1 million P2+; 102,000 A25-54
FOX News Media operates the FOX News Channel (FNC), FOX Business Network (FBN), FOX News Digital, FOX News Audio, FOX News Books, the direct-to-consumer streaming services FOX Nation and FOX News International and the free ad-supported television service FOX Weather. Currently the number one network in all of cable, FNC has also been the most watched television news channel for more than 22 consecutive years, while FBN is the top business channel on cable. Owned by Fox Corporation, FOX News Media reaches nearly 200 million people each month.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250123128237/en/
FOX News Media Contact:
Connor Smith: 212-301-3879 or [email protected]