Fox News ratings are taking their largest nose dive in recent memory, with less than 100,000 people in the key 25-54 demographic tuning in to watch the 8 p.m. hour of the network since the unceremonious dismissal of fired Tucker Carlson.
In what some have described as a systemic collapse, Fox News has fallen behind both CNN and MSNBC in cable news ratings during the 8 p.m. hour.
Last Friday, trade publication Adweek reported that just 90,000 viewers aged 25-54 watched Fox News at 8 p.m, compared to 99,000 who watched Anderson Cooper on CNN and 145,000 who watched Chris Hayes on MSNBC. However, the bleeding is not confined to one hour of prime time.
Fox News’ remaining ratings juggernaut, Sean Hannity, received 100,000 viewers in the key demographic, compared to 144,000 viewers who watched MSNBC. With 94,000 viewers, Laura Ingraham’s viewership was beat by MSNBC too. Jesse Watters clocked in at 94,000 viewers, receiving less than both CNN and MSNBC.
Cable News Ratings Overload Fri May 5
Primetime Average Demo | Total Viewers
1⃣@FoxNews 94,667 | 1,379,000
2⃣@MSNBC 138,000 | 1,323,000
3⃣@CNN 76,667 | 403,000
4⃣@Newsmax 23,333 | 331,667
5⃣@NewsNation 11,667 | 85,000 pic.twitter.com/EX9R7KNM7V— RoadMN 📈 (@RoadMN) May 8, 2023
In fact, while formerly the dominant cable news network, Fox News only rose to first place in the ratings twice, first at 5 p.m. with “The Five” clocking in at 211,000 viewers, and second at 11 p.m. with Greg Gutfeld’s popular night show receiving 196,000 viewers.
Even outside of the key 25-54 demographic that networks seek and advertisers desire, Fox News ranked behind MSNBC during the critical 8 p.m. hour, receiving 1.284 million viewers compared to MSNBC’s 1.369 million viewers.
While Fox News is still adjusting to its future without Carlson, it is reportedly seeking to keep the veteran newsman silent by holding him to his contract. If successful, Carlson would not be able to take another media job until 2025, after the presidential election.
Carlson reportedly attempted to mediate the contract dispute amicably, but recently a report surfaced claiming that he and his team are preparing for war against the network.
“Now, we’re going from peacetime to Defcon 1,” a close friend of Carlson reportedly told Axios earlier this week. “His team is preparing for war. He wants his freedom.”
