In 2013 Fox News once again reigned in the world of cable news, where ratings are everything. Fox soared above its competitors despite an industry-wide drop in viewership.
CNN, MSNBC, and HLC combined drew fewer viewers than Fox News on average. Variety has the numbers:
According to Nielsen data through Dec. 8, Fox News Channel averaged 1.774 million viewers in primetime (down 13% from 2012) and 297,000 adults 25-54 (down 30%). It was followed by MSNBC with 645,000 viewers and 203,000 adults 25-54 (down 29% in both); CNN with 578,000 (down 15%) and 187,000 adults 25-54 (down 16%); and HLN with 403,000 total viewer (up 21%) and 142,000 in the demo (up 27%).
Among all basic cable networks in 2013, FNC ranked sixth in primetime while MSNBC was 29th and CNN was 31st. In total day, Fox ran fourth while CNN was 28th and MSNBC ran 30th; in 2012, CNN finished behind MSNBC. CNN and HLN showed some year-over-year gains on a total-day basis, while FNC and MSNBC were down.
Although "The O'Reilly Factor" with Bill O'Reilly is the #1 show in cable news, Fox's new programs were also a boon to ratings - most notably "The Kelly File" with Megyn Kelly:
Fox and CNN both made some significant changes to their lineup in 2013, with FNC’s revamped primetime lineup, introduced on Oct. 7, posting gains in both total viewers and adults 25-54 vs. the block’s 2013 season-to-date average. The newest program, “The Kelly File” with Megyn Kelly, has improved the 9 p.m. hour by 23% in total viewers and 13% in adults 25-54, and “The O’Reilly Factor” is the top show in cable news (2.78 million, 439,000 adults 25-54).
Townhall.com's News Editor Katie Pavlich and Senior Political Editor Guy Benson are Fox News contributors.