Fox News Has Highest-Rated 4th Of July Programming In Network History

Fox News Channel reported its best-ever 4th of July ratings, attracting 5.5 million viewers during President Trump's late-night address and 817,000 in the key 25-54 demographic. This performance significantly surpassed rivals, with CNN drawing 1.2 million and MS NOW 381,000 total viewers for the same segment. Fox also led 4th of July prime time with 3.3 million viewers, though CBS topped the key demo. High viewership on both July 3rd and 4th was partly driven by severe weather across the country, prompting many to tune into cable news. Fox consistently maintained the largest audience in total day ratings throughout the holiday period.

Fox News Channel had its best-ever ratings for a 4th of July, with viewership reaching 5.5 million viewers during President Trump’s speech, which aired from 11:15 to 11:45 p.m. ET. For the same period, Fox drew 817,000 viewers 25-54, the key demographic valued by national advertisers.

After Fox News, CNN’s coverage of Trump’s address was second with 1.2 million viewers and 303,000 viewers in the key demo, followed by MS NOW (381,000 total viewers and 70,000 viewers in the key demo), according to early ratings data compiled by Nielsen. Final ratings figures will be available later in the week.

Prime time coverage on Fox featured Bret Baier, Sean Hannity, Dana Perino, Harris Faulkner, and Brian Kilmeade, and drew an average total audience of 3.3 million viewers, followed by CBS broadcast (2 million viewers), CNN (1.2 million viewers) and MS NOW (317,000 viewers). In the key demo, CBS was first with 422,000 viewers, followed by FNC (360,000 viewers), CNN (237,000 viewers), and MS NOW (20,000 viewers).

On July 3, with the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding dominating cable news coverage, Fox News had the largest audience in prime time, with 2.2 million viewers, followed by MS NOW (907,000 viewers) and CNN (586,000 viewers). FNC also led in the key demo with 237,000 viewers, followed by CNN (91,000 viewers) and MS NOW (40,000 viewers).

On both July 3 and 4th, severe weather across much of the country, from intense heat to strong storms, sent many Americans to cable news. Total day ratings for July 3 (3 a.m. through 3 a.m. ET) show Fox News taking the largest audience, 1.7 million viewers, followed by MS NOW (643,000 viewers), and CNN (413,000 viewers).

In the key demo on the third, FNC was first with 175,000 viewers, followed by MS NOW (59,000 viewers) and CNN (51,000 viewers).

Viewership jumped on the 4th, with Fox News leading total day ratings with 2.2 million viewers, followed by CNN (586,000 viewers) and MS NOW (402,000 viewers).

In the key demo, FNC led with 266,000 viewers, with CNN taking second (104,000 viewers) and MS NOW trailing with just 40,000 viewers.