Fox News Ends 2024 with Record-Breaking Viewership, Cementing Cable News Dominance

In a year marked by dramatic political events, international turmoil, and significant news stories, Fox News Channel (FNC) achieved its most successful year in nearly a decade, concluding 2024 as the undisputed leader in cable news viewership. The network secured its ninth consecutive year at the top, reflecting unparalleled audience engagement across multiple demographics and time slots.

Record-Breaking Performance for “The Five”

Leading Fox News’ impressive year was “The Five,” the network’s popular late-afternoon ensemble show, which set historic viewership records. Airing weekdays at 5 PM ET, “The Five” not only solidified its status as the most-watched cable news program of 2024, but it also became the first non-primetime program in history to surpass four million viewers during the fourth quarter. According to Fox News’ press release, the show averaged 4,026,000 viewers overall, including 429,000 viewers in the coveted 25-54 demographic.

“The Five” maintained its dominance for three consecutive years, consistently outperforming competitors in both total audience and key demographics. Its popularity has been attributed to a unique blend of dynamic discussions, diverse perspectives, and engaging, often spirited debates, resonating strongly with viewers of all political backgrounds.

Jesse Watters and Greg Gutfeld Shine

Two of Fox News’ prominent personalities, Jesse Watters and Greg Gutfeld, had particularly notable years in 2024, each achieving significant ratings milestones. “Jesse Watters Primetime,” airing at 8 PM ET, emerged as a powerhouse, attracting an average audience of 3.1 million viewers, with 352,000 viewers aged 25-54. Watters’ engaging, provocative style and his sharp political insights made his show the most popular cable news program in its time slot.

Greg Gutfeld’s late-night show, “Gutfeld!”, experienced exceptional success, establishing itself as the most-watched program in the critical 25-54 demographic during late-night hours. Averaging 2.5 million viewers and 355,000 in the demographic, “Gutfeld!” not only dominated cable news but also consistently outperformed its broadcast competitors, including ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and CBS’ “The Late Show.” The show’s sharp, comedic approach to politics and current events reshaped expectations for late-night television, proving that politically charged humor can effectively attract and retain large audiences.

Primetime Powerhouses Continue Dominance

Fox News’ primetime lineup remained formidable throughout 2024, further strengthening its market leadership. At 7 PM ET, “The Ingraham Angle” led its time slot, pulling in an average of 2.5 million viewers, including 278,000 viewers in the key demographic. Laura Ingraham’s incisive commentary and compelling interviews continued to resonate deeply with viewers, reinforcing her role as a central figure in conservative media.

Sean Hannity’s show, “Hannity,” which aired at 9 PM ET, continued its strong run, averaging 2.8 million viewers and 341,000 viewers aged 25-54. Hannity’s combination of political commentary, high-profile interviews, and breaking news coverage cemented his show’s status as a consistent ratings performer.

Fox News CEO Celebrates Network’s Success

FOX News Media CEO Suzanne Scott celebrated the channel’s performance, emphasizing the importance of the network’s coverage during a tumultuous year. “In the midst of a turbulent political landscape, ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, and significant breaking news, millions of viewers from various political backgrounds consistently chose FOX News Channel for our unparalleled reporting and analysis,” Scott stated.

Scott credited the entire Fox News team for their commitment and dedication, stating that their relentless pursuit of excellence allowed the network to surpass competitors and consistently resonate with everyday Americans.

Dominance During the Election Cycle

Fox News’ 2024 success was significantly bolstered by its comprehensive coverage of a highly contentious election cycle. According to Nielsen Media Research, the network led cable news viewership across critical swing states, including Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The channel’s meticulous coverage of key political events—such as presidential debates, conventions, and even assassination attempts on prominent political figures—solidified its position as the trusted source for pivotal political news.

Following the election, Fox News further extended its dominance, capturing an astounding 72% of the primetime cable news audience. This performance starkly contrasted with the declining ratings experienced by competitors MSNBC and CNN. MSNBC saw its primetime audience drop sharply, losing 65% in the critical 25-54 demographic and averaging just 576,000 total viewers. CNN also experienced a significant decline, losing over half its audience in the same demographic, averaging just 378,000 total viewers.

Implications of Fox News’ Ratings Triumph

Fox News’ remarkable year underscores a broader shift in the cable news landscape, characterized by increasing viewer preference for opinion-driven, personality-centered programming. The success of hosts like Jesse Watters, Greg Gutfeld, Laura Ingraham, and Sean Hannity reflects audiences’ growing appetite for shows that blend news analysis with entertainment, sharp commentary, and compelling personalities.

This approach has proven exceptionally successful in attracting younger demographics, particularly viewers aged 25-54—a group traditionally harder for news programs to reach and retain.

Looking Ahead to Continued Dominance

Fox News’ sustained dominance sets the stage for continued market leadership in the years ahead. Network executives and talent are likely to capitalize further on this success, continuing to innovate in programming formats, digital engagement, and audience interaction.

The broader implications of Fox News’ ratings triumph will likely influence competitor strategies, prompting reevaluations of programming formats and talent lineups. Rival networks may consider adopting similar approaches to programming to recover lost audiences and reestablish competitive footing.

Conclusion

Fox News Channel’s extraordinary performance in 2024 has reaffirmed its position as the leading force in cable news. Its diverse array of compelling personalities and innovative programming continues to draw millions of viewers nationwide, securing unmatched loyalty and influence in an increasingly fragmented media environment.

As the network moves into 2025 and beyond, it remains poised to build upon its momentum, further redefining cable news and continuing to set the benchmark for success in the industry.