FOX News Channel (FNC) has cemented its dominance in the cable news landscape, posting record-breaking numbers for February 2025 that mark its most-watched February in network history, according to Nielsen Media Research data released on February 26, 2025. For the second consecutive month, FNC has obliterated competition, securing a commanding 65% share of the cable news audience across both total day and primetime, while rivals CNN and MSNBC saw significant declines. The network’s post-election momentum has carried it to new heights, with primetime viewership soaring to 3.1 million and total day averaging 2 million viewers—both up 50% year-over-year. This comes as Fox News also dominated January ratings.
In primetime (8-11 PM/ET), FNC delivered 3.1 million viewers and 387,000 in the coveted 25-54 demographic, reflecting a staggering 68% growth in the demo compared to February 2024. Total day numbers were equally impressive, with 252,000 viewers in the 25-54 demo (up 57%) alongside its 2 million total viewers. Since Election Day on November 6, 2024, FNC has claimed the top 838 cable news telecasts, including the top 297 in February alone, and now holds 69% of the primetime cable news audience and 67% in the 25-54 demo. Meanwhile, MSNBC’s primetime viewership plummeted 43% to 756,000, with a 52% drop in the 25-54 demo (70,000 viewers), and CNN lost 38% of its audience (459,000 viewers) and 40% in the demo (96,000).
FNC’s powerhouse lineup drove the charge. The Five at 5 PM/ET averaged 4.7 million viewers—edging out CBS Evening News (4.6 million)—and 517,000 in the 25-54 demo, marking its fourth straight month above 4 million. Jesse Watters Primetime at 8 PM/ET pulled in 4.2 million viewers, while Hannity at 9 PM/ET drew 3.6 million, bolstered by a February 18 interview with Elon Musk and President Trump that hit 5.4 million viewers—the month’s second-highest telecast. The Ingraham Angle at 7 PM/ET, with 3.5 million viewers, kept Laura Ingraham atop the list of cable news’ highest-rated women, and Special Report with Bret Baier at 6 PM/ET notched 3.6 million, its third-best month ever. Late-night hit Gutfeld! scored its best month since launch with 3.4 million viewers, trouncing network late-night giants like The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
The network’s daytime and weekend programming also shone. The Will Cain Show at 4 PM/ET set a timeslot record with 2.8 million viewers (up 81% from 2024), while America Reports and The Story each hit 2.5 million, their best since 2020. Weekends saw The Big Weekend Show lead Saturdays with 2.1 million viewers, and Sunday Morning Futures top Sundays with 2.3 million. Even mornings thrived, with FOX & Friends maintaining its three-year reign as cable’s top morning show with 1.6 million viewers.
Since January 20, its 3.9 million weeknight primetime viewers have outpaced ABC, CBS, NBC, and all cable networks. With 23 years as the most-watched news channel, FNC’s February triumph—available in over 60 million homes—reaffirms its unrivaled grip on the genre.
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