Dec 30, 2019

Fox News hits record 2.5 million nightly viewers in 2019

Jacob Knutson

Fox News' Sean Hannity. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Politicon

Fox News averaged 2.5 million viewers per night in 2019, a 23-year high that made it the most viewed channel on basic cable, The Hill reports.

Our thought bubble, via Axios’ Sara Fischer: The network's record viewership comes as Americans' news consumption has become increasingly polarized — and as the left-leaning cable news audience likely split its time between rivals CNN and MSNBC.

The big picture, according to Nielsen Media Research data: ESPN was the second-most popular prime time cable channel with 1.78 million viewers. MSNBC came in third with an average of 1.75 million viewers, while CNN was 22nd, averaging 972,000 viewers.

By the numbers ... The top five most viewed cable news shows:

  1. Fox News' "Hannity": 3.3 million
  2. Fox News' "Tucker Carlson Tonight": 3.1 million
  3. MSNBC's "The Rachel Maddow Show": 2.78 million
  4. Fox News' "The Ingraham Angle": 2.57 million
  5. Fox News' "The Five": 2.55 million

Go deeper:

Go deeper

Ursula Perano

Seventh Democratic debate drew in 7.3 million viewers

Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images.

Tuesday's Democratic debate hosted by CNN and the Des Moines register was watched by 7.3 million viewers, early data released by Nielsen Media Research shows.

Why it matters: The seventh Democratic debate was watch by slightly more people than the past few debates, which attracted viewers in the six million range. That boost could be for several reasons, including big news events such as President Trump being impeached and the killing of Iran's Gen. Qasem Soleimani. But viewership is still way down from first few debates — which averaged about 12 million viewers each.

Go deeper: 4 takeaways from the 7th Democratic debate

Keep ReadingArrowJan 16, 2020
Sara Fischer

Echo chambers are getting worse

Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios

Over the past five years, Americans have become increasingly polarized in their media consumption diets based on their political affiliation, according to new data from Pew Research Center.

The big picture: It's not just news that polarizes us — it's our culture, too. Other studies out over the past year that suggest that the trend extends beyond news and information to entertainment and leisure.

Go deeperArrowJan 28, 2020
Fadel Allassan

2020 candidates' Q4 fundraising hauls

Bernie Sanders leads the way in fourth quarter fundraising hauls among the Democratic hopefuls who have already announced their numbers, with $34.5 million raised.

By the numbers: Sanders is followed by Pete Buttigieg at $24.7 million — but the Democratic candidates all trail President Trump, whose re-election campaign reportedly collected $46 million.

Go deeperArrowUpdated Jan 3, 2020