FOX News Channel (FNC) maintained its position as the leading network in primetime television throughout August 2025, continuing a dominant run that began in June. From June 20 through Labor Day, FNC averaged 2.43 million viewers in Monday-Sunday primetime, outperforming major broadcast networks. It surpassed ABC’s 2.38 million viewers, NBC’s 2.21 million, and CBS’s 2.03 million, securing its status as the top-rated network across all of television during this period.
In August, FNC averaged 2.3 million primetime viewers from 8 to 11 p.m. ET and 237,000 in the 25-54 demographic, making it the most-watched television network for the second consecutive month. Across total day viewership, the network drew 1.4 million viewers and 160,000 in the 25-54 demographic. FNC captured 63% of the cable news audience share in total day viewership and 65% in primetime, significantly outperforming competitors CNN and MSNBC. Both rival networks experienced substantial declines, with CNN posting 333,000 total day viewers and 53,000 in the 25-54 demographic, marking its second-lowest month ever in that demographic. MSNBC recorded 502,000 total day viewers and 46,000 in the 25-54 demographic, its lowest August in the demographic since 1997. Compared to August 2024, CNN saw a 46% drop in total viewers and a 57% decline in the 25-54 demographic, while MSNBC experienced a 51% and 62% drop, respectively.
FNC dominated cable news programming, securing the top 163 telecasts in August and 1,532 since the post-election period. The network also led among Asian, Hispanic, and upscale viewers in total day viewership. Key programs drove FNC’s success. The Five, airing at 5 p.m. ET, averaged 3.48 million viewers and 345,000 in the 25-54 demographic, outperforming CBS’s Big Brother and ESPN’s College Gameday debut. Jesse Watters Primetime at 8 p.m. ET drew 3.06 million viewers and 302,000 in the 25-54 demographic, surpassing NBC’s American Ninja Warrior. Gutfeld! at 10 p.m. ET led late-night television with 2.85 million viewers and 327,000 in the 25-54 demographic, outpacing CBS’s The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!.
Hannity at 9 p.m. ET averaged 2.61 million viewers and 271,000 in the 25-54 demographic, beating ABC’s Good Morning America and Match Game. The Ingraham Angle at 7 p.m. ET delivered 2.5 million viewers and 236,000 in the 25-54 demographic, with Laura Ingraham remaining the highest-rated woman in cable news. Special Report with Bret Baier at 6 p.m. ET averaged 2.55 million viewers and 249,000 in the 25-54 demographic, outperforming CBS Evening News in 23 major markets, including Chicago and Atlanta, and ABC’s World News Tonight in eight markets.
FNC’s morning show, FOX & Friends, averaged 1.3 million viewers and 148,000 in the 25-54 demographic, maintaining its lead as the top cable news morning program for 54 consecutive months. It outperformed CBS Mornings in 21 major markets and ABC’s Good Morning America in 15 markets. The daytime lineup also excelled, with America’s Newsroom, The Faulkner Focus, Outnumbered, America Reports, The Story, and The Will Cain Show each surpassing broadcast competitors like NBC’s Today Third Hour and ABC’s GMA3.
FNC’s weekend programming also led the competition, winning every hour in total viewers and the 25-54 demographic. Sunday Morning Futures was the top-rated weekend show with 1.6 million viewers, while My View with Lara Trump led Saturday programming with 1.3 million viewers. Other weekend shows, including FOX & Friends Weekend, Life, Liberty & Levin, and Sunday Night in America with Trey Gowdy, also posted strong numbers, contributing to FNC’s comprehensive dominance across cable news in August 2025.
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