If Led Zeppelin’s “The Song Remains the Same” were playing in the background of the cable news wars, it would feel appropriate. Because once again, Fox News left its competitors in the dust in February, extending its commanding lead over CNN and MS NOW.
According to new Nielsen data obtained by Mediaite, Fox News averaged 34% more primetime viewers and 35% more total day viewers than CNN and MS NOW combined during the month. The numbers underscore what has become a familiar pattern in the ratings battle.
From Monday through Sunday, Fox News pulled in an average of 2.61 million primetime viewers, compared to a combined 1.94 million for CNN and MS NOW. When narrowing the focus to weekday primetime, Fox’s average jumped to 3.07 million viewers. In another notable benchmark, Fox News even topped CBS in primetime, as CBS averaged 2.4 million viewers.
The network’s lineup delivered across the board. The Five claimed the title of highest-rated show for the month, averaging 4.00 million viewers nightly. Jesse Watters Primetime followed with 3.44 million viewers, while Bret Baier’s Special Report brought in 3.10 million. Greg Gutfeld’s program was close behind at 3.04 million viewers, and The Ingraham Angle averaged 2.90 million.
In the critical age 25-54 demographic, Gutfeld! took first place for the month, drawing 347,000 viewers in the demo each night. The Five averaged 337,000 in the demo, and Jesse Watters secured third with 329,000.
Looking at total day numbers from Monday through Sunday, CNN averaged 565,000 viewers overall and 93,000 in the 25-54 demographic. Fox News drew 1.72 million total viewers and 168,000 in the demo. MS NOW averaged 709,000 viewers and 79,000 in the demo.
In primetime over the same period, CNN posted 807,000 viewers and 154,000 in the demo. Fox News commanded 2.61 million viewers and 260,000 in the demo. MS NOW brought in 1.14 million viewers and 131,000 in the key age group.
February did bring some positive momentum for all three networks compared to January. Each posted double-digit percentage gains in both total day and primetime. Fox’s total day audience rose 19% month-over-month, while CNN increased 11% and MS NOW climbed 21%. In primetime, Fox and MS NOW were each up 28%, with CNN gaining 22%.
MS NOW had a particular bright spot in the 7:00 p.m. time slot. The Weeknight, which replaced The ReidOut, saw ratings surge 30% year-over-year compared to Joy Reid’s final month on the network last February.
CNN also marked its second consecutive month of gains. The network recorded its best-rated day since the Democratic National Convention in August 2024 and its strongest February since 2022, when the Russian invasion of Ukraine drove larger audiences.
Among individual programs, CNN’s The Source with Kaitlan Collins averaged 877,000 viewers and 177,000 in the demo. Anderson Cooper 360 brought in 908,000 viewers and 163,000 in the demo. The Lead with Jake Tapper drew 835,000 viewers and 137,000 in the demo, while NewsNight hosted by Abby Phillip posted 836,000 viewers and 187,000 in the demo.
On MS NOW, The Rachel Maddow Show led the network with 2.38 million viewers and 286,000 in the demo. Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell averaged 1.47 million viewers and 156,000 in the demo. All In with Chris Hayes delivered 1.28 million viewers and 152,000 in the demo, and The Briefing with Jen Psaki drew 1.30 million viewers and 145,000 in the demo.
Still, when the dust settled, the overall picture was clear: Fox News once again stood alone at the top of the cable news heap.
