Fox News Dominates Ratings With Most-Watched February in Network History

Fox News continues to dominate the cable news ratings, notching its most-watched February in network history and extending its post-election momentum with record-breaking numbers across the board.

According to Nielsen Media Research, Fox News averaged 3.1 million prime time viewers in February, a 50 percent surge from last year, with an even bigger spike — 68 percent — in the coveted 25-54 demographic. The network also commanded 69 percent of the cable news primetime audience.

The Five remains the top cable news show on television, pulling in 4.7 million viewers — enough to edge out even CBS Evening News. Meanwhile, Jesse Watters Primetime continues to draw more than 4 million viewers a night, leading the key demo. Over at the 10 p.m. hour, Gutfeld! had its best month yet, delivering 3.4 million viewers and outperforming late-night heavyweights like The Late Show’s Stephen Colbert and The Tonight Show’s Jimmy Fallon (though it should be noted those shows air later in the night than Fox’s iteration.)

Meanwhile, MSNBC saw primetime viewership increasing by 90 percent since Donald Trump’s inauguration and a 116 percent rise in the 25-54 demographic. Total day ratings improved by 42 percent among all viewers and 67 percent in the key demo. Digital engagement also surged, with MSNBC Digital up 34 percent in page views and YouTube views rising 156 percent. 

On the whole, CNN ranked second in cable news among adults 25-54, averaging 83k in total day, 127k in primetime, and 97k in daytime.

At NewsNation weekday total day viewership increased by 21 percent in total viewers and 10 percent among adults 25-54 compared to the previous year, according to Nielsen.

Among individual programs, Cuomo remains the network’s top-rated show, averaging nearly 180,000 viewers while Elizabeth Vargas Reports has boosted the 7 p.m. ET timeslot by 19 percent since moving to primetime earlier this month. Morning in America Weekend with Hena Doba had 40 percent increase in total viewers and a 17 percent rise in the key demo.

But with Fox News now averaging 3.9 million weeknight viewers, outpacing ABC, CBS, and NBC, the broader story remains clear: Fox isn’t just winning cable news — it’s leading broadcast in key hours.

The network also saw big gains on weekends, thanks to the debut of My View with Lara Trump, which pulled 2.4 million viewers, leading in its slot against rival networks.