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Fox News Extends 24-Year Reign in January Ratings as CNN and MS NOW Gain

Nielsen data shows a wide Fox lead despite steep year-over-year declines in primetime with sharper losses in the 25–54 demographic.

Overview

  • Fox News averaged 2.05 million viewers in primetime and 1.45 million in total day for January, down 26% and 24% year over year, with 25–54 averages falling to 197,000 in primetime (down 44%) and 143,000 in total day (down 43%).
  • MS NOW rose to 887,000 primetime viewers (up about 20%) and 55,000 in the 25–54 demo (up 22%), while CNN reached 660,000 in primetime (up 26%) and 135,000 in the demo (up 14%), with total day at 589,000 for MS NOW and 510,000 for CNN.
  • Fox delivered the five highest-rated cable news programs: The Five, Jesse Watters Primetime, Gutfeld!, Special Report with Bret Baier, and The Ingraham Angle, with The Five averaging about 3.73 million viewers.
  • Fox said it commanded nearly 60% of cable-news viewing and outdrew CNN and MS NOW combined in total day and primetime, citing Nielsen Big Data + Panel.
  • Program highlights included MS NOW’s The Rachel Maddow Show at 1.88 million and CNN’s most-watched primetime month since November 2024, while Forbes reported Special Report topped CBS Evening News in 15 major markets.