Summary
Fox News experienced a significant ratings surge during the third quarter of 2024, achieving its second-highest-rated quarter in the network’s history. This increase in viewership was largely driven by extensive coverage of key political events, including the presidential race and a simulcast of the highly-watched debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.
The surge in ratings comes amidst a historic news cycle that included major events like President Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race and multiple assassination attempts on Trump. According to Nielsen data, Fox News captured 52% of total day viewers and 53% of the primetime audience, marking a substantial increase in viewership compared to previous quarters. The debate simulcast alone attracted 14.2 million viewers for Fox, surpassing the ratings of NBC and CBS. Programs such as “The Five” and “Hannity” maintained their dominance in their respective time slots, contributing to Fox’s overall success in the cable news landscape.
Key Highlights
- Record Viewership: Fox News achieved its second-highest-rated third quarter, with significant viewership increases across its programming.
- Political Coverage: The network’s ratings were bolstered by coverage of pivotal political events, including the presidential debate and Biden’s campaign withdrawal.
- Audience Demographics: Fox News saw a remarkable 93% increase in its audience within the coveted 25-54 demographic during primetime, reflecting its strong appeal to advertisers.
- Program Success: Shows like “The Five” and “Hannity” continued to lead in their time slots, solidifying Fox’s position as the most-watched cable news network for an unprecedented 91 consecutive quarters.
Fox News dominates presidential race coverage, topping ABC and CBS
Oct. 4 / New York Post / The New York Post outlines Fox News's significant ratings achievements, particularly in comparison to rivals. The article's statistics are compelling, but it feels repetitive with similar content from other sources. “ Fox News recorded its second-highest-rated third quarter in its history, besting rivals ABC and CBS to dominate a whopping 91 consecutive quarters on top in...
Fox News dominates presidential race coverage, topping ABC and CBS
Oct. 4 / New York Post / Reiterating Fox News's ratings success, this article emphasizes its competitive edge in political coverage. However, it mirrors previous pieces too closely, offering little new insight or perspective on the topic. “ Fox News recorded its second-highest-rated third quarter in its history, besting rivals ABC and CBS to dominate a whopping 91 consecutive quarters on top in...
Fox News Channel had one of its ‘highest-rated’ quarters in history
Oct. 2 / Gazette / Highlighting Fox News's impressive ratings, this piece captures the network's historical context and political coverage. It succinctly summarizes key events, though it lacks deeper analysis of viewer motivations. “ The ratings numbers are in for the third quarter of 2024, and Fox News Channel enjoyed its second-highest-rated third quarter in the network’s history....
Oct. 1 / Fox News / Fox News's dominance during a pivotal news cycle is well-documented, emphasizing its ratings success and audience growth. The analysis of viewership trends is thorough and provides a clear overview of the network's position. “ The Five co-hosts react to President Bidens interview with the ladies of The View and Vice President Kamala Harris’ sit-down interview with MSNBC host...
Sep. 18 / Deadline / ABC News presents a counter-narrative to the claims of declining ratings post-debate, showcasing its audience growth. The article provides a balanced perspective but lacks the depth of analysis seen in competing reports. “ ABC News said that the audience for Monday night’s World News Tonight with David Muir grew by 9% versus the same period a year ago. The network pointed out...
‘Gutfeld!’ draws largest audience in program history with Trump appearance
Sep. 19 / Fox News / Fox News Channel’s "Gutfeld!" achieved a historic audience with Trump’s guest appearance, showcasing the show's growing appeal. The article effectively highlights its ratings success and viewer engagement. “ Former President Trump joins Fox News host Greg Gutfeld and the panel to answer questions ranging from how he handles being shot at to annoyances that...
Donald Trump Gloats Debate Audience ‘Went Crazy’—But There Was None
Sep. 19 / The Daily Beast / Trump's comments on the debate audience are critiqued for their inaccuracy, providing a humorous take on his narrative. The article captures the absurdity of his claims, though it may not add significantly to the overall ratings discussion. “ Donald Trump said the audience at last week’s presidential debate “went crazy” for him. The only problem? The debate didn’t have a live audience. In a...
ABC’s David Muir takes hit to ratings after performance as debate moderator
Sep. 17 / Gazette / ABC's David Muir faced backlash for his debate moderation, leading to a significant ratings drop. The piece provides insight into the political ramifications of media performance, though it leans into partisan criticism. “ ABC News's David Muir experienced a decline in ratings in his flagship show after his controversial performance as one of the moderators of the presidential...