Fox News Dominates May Cable Network Ratings

By
published

Fox News was the overwhelming choice of cable viewers during the month of May, topping both the primetime and total day charts for a month dominated by news of the COVID-19 virus and protests surrounding the death of George Floyd, according to Nielsen.

Fox News averaged 3.4 million viewers in primetime during the week of April 27-May 31, easily topping MSNBC, which finished the month with 1.9 million viewers and CNN, which had its best May ever with 1.6 million viewers, said Nielsen.

HGTV and TLC tied for fourth place with 1.2 million viewers, while History finished the month in fifth place with 970,000 viewers. TBS (967,000), A&E Network (938,000), Discovery Channel (857,000), and Hallmark Channel (844,000) rounded out the top 10 most watched networks for May.

Fox News topped the total day chart with 1.8 million viewers, followed by MSNBC (1.1 million viewers) and CNN (1 million), said Nielsen. 

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.