FOX News Media’s Inauguration Coverage Is Most Watched in Cable News History With 11.7 Million Viewers

Rhea-AI Summary

FOX News Media achieved record-breaking viewership during the inauguration coverage, marking the highest-rated non-primetime telecast in cable news history with 11.7 million viewers and 2.5 million in the A25-54 demographic. The network secured 80% of cable news audience share during special programming and was the only network to show gains compared to 2021 and 2017.

Co-anchored by Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum, FNC's coverage outperformed broadcast networks ABC, NBC, and CBS in viewers. The network dominated primetime with 6.5 million viewers and showed increased viewership in both total day (+14%) and primetime (+2%) compared to 2024 to date. FOX News Digital also experienced significant growth compared to previous inaugurations, with increases in unique viewing devices (+35%), total view time (+83%), and media initiatives (+72%).

Positive

• Record-breaking 11.7M viewers for inauguration coverage
• 80% cable news audience share during special programming
• 14% increase in total day viewership compared to 2024
• Digital properties showed significant growth vs previous inaugurations
• Maintained leadership position with most politically diverse audience

Negative

• None.

Insights

Media Industry Analyst

The record-breaking inauguration coverage performance represents a significant milestone for FOX News Media, with several key implications for investors:

Market Dominance & Revenue Impact: Capturing 80% of the cable news audience share demonstrates unprecedented market control, which directly strengthens FOX's advertising pricing power. The network's ability to deliver 11.7 million viewers and 2.5 million in the important A25-54 demographic positions it favorably for upcoming advertising negotiations.

Competitive Landscape Transformation: While FOX posted viewership gains, competitors faced significant declines:

• MSNBC recorded its lowest-rated inauguration coverage ever
• CNN experienced its second-lowest inauguration audience
• FOX's primetime viewership rose 2% while CNN and MSNBC saw declines of 44% and 55% respectively

Cross-Platform Growth: The digital performance metrics are particularly noteworthy for future revenue diversification:

• FOX News Digital achieved its best day since the 2024 election
• FOX News Go showed 35% growth in unique viewing devices
• Social media engagement dominated the news sector with 8.8 million interactions

Strategic Advantages: The network's ability to attract a politically diverse audience (including 72% of Democrats and 78% of independents watching cable news) demonstrates a broader market appeal that could translate into sustained advertising revenue growth and increased market share across all platforms.

Co-Anchored by Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum, FNC’s Coverage was the Highest Rated Non-Primetime Telecast in Cable News History with 11.7 Million Viewers and 2.5 million in A25-54

FOX News Secured 80% of Cable News Audience Share in Viewers During Special Programming and was Only Network to Notch Gains versus 2021 and 2017

MSNBC Delivered its Lowest-Rated Inauguration Day Coverage Ever and CNN had its Second Smallest Inauguration Day Audience

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- FOX News Media’s special programming surrounding the inauguration of President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance was the highest rated in cable news history, according to data from Nielsen Media Research. Additionally, FNC’s special coverage marked the highest non-primetime cable news telecast in history and posted triple digit increases versus the inauguration of President Joe Biden in 2021 and grew in viewership versus 2017. Coverage across FOX News Channel (FNC) and FOX Business Network (FBN) peaked at 12 million viewers and 2.6 million in A25-54 in the 12 PM/ET hour. From 11:30 AM to 1 PM/ET, FNC’s Inauguration of Donald Trump, co-anchored by chief political anchor Special Report’s Bret Baier and anchor and executive editor of The Story Martha MacCallum, garnered 11.4 million in viewers and 2.4 million in A25-54, outpacing broadcast networks ABC, NBC, CBS in viewers and all cable networks across the board. It was FNC’s highest rated Inauguration Day special programming in network history. During inauguration coverage, FNC held 80% of the cable news audience share in viewers and 77% in the A25-54 demo as MSNBC and CNN marked more lows. According to data from Nielsen MRI Fusion, FNC also had the largest cable news share with democrats (72%) and independents (78%). MSNBC delivered its lowest-rated inauguration day coverage ever (11:30AM-1PM/ET) and CNN fell to its second lowest-rated inauguration in network history.

FNC’s programming from 11:30 AM – 5 PM/ET averaged 8.8 million viewers and 1.8 million in A25-54, leading all of television with coverage peaking in the 12 PM/ET hour with 11.7 million viewers and 2.5 million in A25-54. The network was also the most watched following the ceremonies with The Five averaging 8.9 million viewers and 1.5 million A25-54. Special Report with Bret Baier finished the 6PM/ET hour as the highest-rated program in its timeslot with 8.3 million viewers. FNC’s primetime lineup from 7-11PM dominated cable television 6.5 million viewers and 1.2 million in A25-54.

According to data from Nielsen MRI Fusion, FNC has the most politically diverse audience in cable news with more democrats and independents watching the network than any other in the genre. Since the November 5th election, network now holds 71% of the cable news share and has delivered the top 534 telecasts. In primetime, the FNC’s ratings have risen 2% in viewers compared to 2024 to date as CNN (down 44%) and MSNBC (down 55%) have seen their audiences collapse to record lows in primetime. FNC increased its total day viewership increase by 14% compared to 2024 to date. While FNC commands 2.4 million viewers and 291,000 in the 25-54 demo in primetime post-election, MSNBC has collapsed to 603,000 viewers and 52,000 in the 25-54 demo and CNN dropped to just 411,000 viewers and 82,000 in the 25-54 demo. Across total day, FNC has scored 1.6 million viewers and 204,000 in the 25-54 demo compared to CNN with just 346,000 viewers and 60,000 in the 25-54 demo and MSNBC’s 451,000 viewers and only 40,000 in the 25-54 demo.

FBN averaged 300,000 viewers from 11:30AM – 1 PM/ET, reaching its largest audience in the 12PM hour with 307,000 viewers.

FOX News Media’s digital properties, according to Adobe Analytics, saw growth compared to the 2021 and 2017 inaugurations. This marked FOX News Digital’s best day since the day after the 2024 election with media initiates and minutes spent. Additionally compared to the 2021 inauguration, FOX News Go’s unique viewing devices was up 35%, total view time was up 83% and media initiatives was up 72%.

On social media, FOX News Media properties were number one in total social engagement among the news competitive set. The platforms garnered 8.8 million social interactions across Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok according to Emplifi. FOX News was also the top news brand on YouTube driving 142% more video views than NBC News.

Data from Nielsen Media Research

11:30 AM – 1 PM/ET
FNC: 11.4 million P2+; 2.4 million A25-54
CNN: 1.9 million P2+; 605,000 A25-54
MSNBC: 938,000 P2+; 148,000 A25-54
FBN: 300,000 P2+; 21,000 A25-54
ABC: 4.9 million P2+; 1.2 million A25-54
CBS: 4.6 million P2+; 1.1 million A25-54
NBC: 4.8 million P2+; 1.3 million A25-54

12-1 PM/ET
FNC: 11.7 million P2+; 2.5 million A25-54
CNN – 1.9 million P2+; 614,000 A25-54
MSNBC – 974,000 P2+; 150,000 A25-54
FBN – 307,000 P2+; 17,000 A25-54

7 – 11 PM/ET
FNC: 6.5 million P2+; 1.2 million A25-54
CNN: 1.1 million P2+; 309,000 A25-54
MSNBC: 1 million P2+; 97,000 A25-54

8 – 11 PM/ET
FNC: 6.3 million P2+; 1.1 million A25-54
CNN: 1.1 million P2+; 286,000 A25-54
MSNBC: 1.1 million P2+; 102,000 A25-54

FOX News Media operates the FOX News Channel (FNC), FOX Business Network (FBN), FOX News Digital, FOX News Audio, FOX News Books, the direct-to-consumer streaming services FOX Nation and FOX News International and the free ad-supported television service FOX Weather. Currently the number one network in all of cable, FNC has also been the most watched television news channel for more than 22 consecutive years, while FBN is the top business channel on cable. Owned by Fox Corporation, FOX News Media reaches nearly 200 million people each month.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250123128237/en/

FOX News Media Contact:

Connor Smith: 212-301-3879 or connor.smith@fox.com

Source: FOX News Media

FAQ

How many viewers did FOX News get for the 2025 inauguration coverage?

FOX News achieved 11.7 million viewers during the inauguration coverage, with 2.5 million in the A25-54 demographic during the 12 PM/ET hour.

What was FOX's market share during the 2025 inauguration coverage?

FOX secured 80% of the cable news audience share in viewers and 77% in the A25-54 demographic during the inauguration coverage.

How did FOX News perform compared to other networks during the inauguration?

FOX News outperformed broadcast networks ABC, NBC, CBS in viewers and all cable networks, while MSNBC had its lowest-rated inauguration coverage ever and CNN had its second-lowest.

What was FOX News' primetime viewership during inauguration day?

FOX News' primetime lineup from 7-11PM dominated cable television with 6.5 million viewers and 1.2 million in the A25-54 demographic.

How did FOX News Digital perform during the inauguration compared to previous years?

FOX News Digital saw significant growth with a 35% increase in unique viewing devices, 83% increase in total view time, and 72% increase in media initiatives compared to the 2021 inauguration.