Fox News Rolls In Weekly Cable Ratings Race

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Fox News obliterated its cable competitors in winning last week’s primetime ratings race, according to Nielsen.

The network’s 2.9 million viewer average for the week of Feb. 6 to Feb. 12 easily outdistanced second place HGTV’s 1.6 million viewers and AMC and USA Network’s 1.5 million watchers, according to Nielsen.

MSNBC finished fifth for the week with 1.4 million viewers, followed by Discovery Channel, ESPN and TBS – all tied with 1.3 million viewers – and CNN, History and TNT (tied with 1.2 million watchers).

Fox News was also tops on a 24-hour basis, besting Nickelodeon, HGTV, CNN and Disney Channel.

AMC was the preferred choice in primetime for adults 18-49, while Adult Swim topped all cable networks in the demo on a 24-hour basis, according to Nielsen.

Most Watched Shows During The Week of Feb. 6 to Feb. 12

DateShowNetworkTotal Viewers

2/12   The Walking Dead                              AMC                            11.9 million

2/12   The Talking Dead                               AMC                              4.8 million

2/6     The O’Reilly Factor                            Fox News                       4.4 million

2/9     The O’Reilly Factor                            Fox News                       4.3 million

2/8     The O’Reilly Factor                            Fox News                       4.2 million

2/7     The O’Reilly Factor                            Fox News                       4.1 million

2/12   The Walking Dead marathon              AMC                               3.8 million

2/7     Tucker Carlson Tonight                     Fox News                        3.5 million

2/10   Gold Rush                                       Discovery Channel           3.5 million

2/6     Tucker Carlson Tonight                    Fox News                        3.4 million

Source: 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.