Fox News Reigns Supreme: They've Crushed CNN and MSNBC … Combined

Calling 2024 a chaotic year for the news industry would be putting it lightly.

From catastrophic natural disasters to political scandals, stunning celebrity downfalls, a controversial Olympic Games, and even two presidential assassination attempts, last year was packed with headline-making events. Not to mention the general election, which was a defining moment in itself.

And that’s just scratching the surface.

With so many major events, one might assume that all cable news networks saw a surge in viewership. That assumption would only be partially correct.

According to its own report, Fox News absolutely dominated its closest competitors in viewership throughout 2024.

The network proudly stated that it closed out the year “with its highest share of the cable news audience since 2015.”

“Along the way, Fox News Channel averaged 1.5 million total day viewers and 2.4 million during prime time to top all cable options,” the network reported. “Fox News has now finished No. 1 in both categories for nine-straight years and increased its audience by 21 percent among total day and 30 percent during prime time compared to 2023.”

Fox News also made sure to highlight how its competition fared.

“MSNBC averaged 791,000 total day viewers, and CNN managed 481,000,” the network reported. “During prime time, MSNBC averaged 1.2 million viewers from 8-11 p.m. ET, and CNN settled for only 685,000 as Fox News topped them combined in both categories despite the historic year of news.

“It was Fox News’ highest share of the cable news audience in nearly a decade, as the network held 56 percent of the cable news audience in prime time and 53 percent in total day.”

Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott expressed her pride in the network’s success, telling her own outlet that she was especially proud of the “entire team for proving once again why we are the nation’s most-watched network as we outpaced the competition in covering the stories that mattered most to everyday Americans.”

Scott also noted that “viewers across the political spectrum” tune into Fox News.

And that might explain why the network continues to outperform its rivals.

While Fox News undeniably leans conservative, it has consistently provided a platform for liberal viewpoints, featuring figures like Geraldo Rivera. Even outspoken conservative host Sean Hannity has engaged in respectful debates with left-leaning personalities like ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith.

In contrast, MSNBC and CNN remain largely dominated by left-wing perspectives, often elevating controversial figures such as Joy Reid and Don Lemon.

(Though, to be fair, CNN has recently featured conservative commentator Scott Jennings.)

Fox News’ dominance isn’t a new phenomenon. The network has led in both daytime and primetime ratings for an impressive 23 consecutive years.