Fox News Claims 9 Of Top 10 Cable News Programs In Q1

In a sign of just how dominant Fox News is in the cable news network ratings game, the network easily won the rankings in the first quarter of 2009, averaging more viewers than competitors MSNBC and CNN combined — and in the process claimed nine of the top the program spots.

For the quarter, Fox News was the #2 cable channel in prime time, averaging 2,250,000 total viewers (behind only the USA juggernaut, which averaged 3,115,000 total viewers). CNN placed 17th with an average of 1,126,000 total viewers, while MSNBC placed 24th, with an average of 950,000 total viewers.

In total day ratings, Fox News ranked 5th among all cable channels in total viewers, while CNN placed 14th and MSNBC placed 28th.

"The O'Reilly Factor" — which in March celebrated its 100th consecutive month as cable news' top-rated show — was the #1 cable news program in Q1, averaging 3.4 million total viewers, a 27% increase over a year ago. Rounding out the top five were "Hannity" (up 36% over Q1 2008), "Glenn Beck" (up 90%), "Special Report with Bret Baier" (up 39%), and "On the Record with Greta Van Susteren" (up 26%). MSNBC's "Countdown with Keith Olbermann," which came in tenth with 1.3 million total viewers, was the only non-Fox News show to crack the top ten.

The top ten programs for Q1 are listed below — incidentally, the same order held for March 2009.

Top 10 Cable News Programs, Q1 2009 (by total viewers)
1. The O'Reilly Factor: 3,438,000 total viewers
2. Hannity: 2,579,000 total viewers
3. Glenn Beck: 2,271,000 total viewers
4. Special Report with Bret Baier: 2,092,000 total viewers
5. On the Record with Greta Van Susteren: 1,977,000 total viewers
6. The FOX Report with Shepard Smith: 1,927,000 total viewers
7. The O'Reilly Factor (repeat): 1,457,000 total viewers
8. America's Newsroom: 1,445,000 total viewers
9. Your World with Neil Cavuto: 1,428,000 total viewers
10. Countdown with Keith Olbermann: 1,327,000 total viewers

Comments

[balrog221]

Hard to believe.. I am a republican and I find it unwatchable.

[E NUFF]

This makes me sick to think there are so many idiots out there watching this cr*p!

[fredamae]

Well, Orwell described being "fed controlled information" as "other info" (truth) is withheld. MSM Does just that. Why would I seek that which is false?
I don't buy into Fox leading. Are these ratings just more "feed" for the masses and a result of "creative accounting"?

I dunno, but you literally Cannot believe your ears. Watch C-Span as the "lawmakers" are on the floor and in hearings...then flip over to MSM (pick one, any one) and watch the "skewing" of what Really happened and what and HOW it is Actually reported.

[Woggles]

I don't have any hard numbers to back up my assertion, but my gut tells me each month, fewer people get their info from Tv, and more get from the internet.
Again, I don't have hard data it is just my opinion. My gut tells me that the remaining Tv viewers are generally older, or with less education.
If Fox wants to go after that dwindling segment they sure can, but I think America's younger folks are moving on, and Fox is staying still.

[copperkey]

Well, you'll be glad to know that Fox News has just started a web site, thefoxnation.com. They are friends with Drudge Report, one of the most powerful Conservative news portals on the net.

I imagine we'll see a lot of activity building on thefoxnation.com. Sweet!

[TexasMike]

Before you all get to hot and bothered about the evil influence of Fox News...you need to step back and keep it all in perspective. If you pop on over to the Nielsen website you can actually see the top ten of actually MOST people are watching on Broadcast and Cable TV. SpongeBob gets more viewers than Fox so the trolls crowing about the dominance of Fox News, is akin to the last place NFL team giving itself a trophy for being sooo good.

[fifty7kevy]

So what does that make MSNBC? Pee Wee league?

[BlueCarolina]

I assume these rating numbers are from Nielsen TV Ratings company (it doesn't say where the ratings are from). If that is so, I am going to make a wild guess as to why the ratings for Fox are so good. Nielsen Ratings pick people randomly to become members of the 'family.' I am making a blind assumption that the people who accept the intrusion of Nielsen into their homes in exchange for a small amount of money to monitor their viewing habits are skewered toward people who are hurting for every dime they get. If that is a fact , I'm guessing as well that the viewing numbers reflect the habits of older people on fixed incomes, and poorly educated people stuck in low paying dead-in jobs who watch Fox because Glenn Beck is something they can understand. I guess I could Google for this information, but I wonder what the age groups, income levels and education levels are for the people who watch the garbage on Fox.

[mofmars333]

You may have something there. But I think the ratings for the infamous network of spin is high because decent hearted, common sensed & thinking people on the moral side of humanity watch, too, so they can keep up with & see what they're up to.

The saying, "Keep you friends close but enemies closer" has much merit to it.

People who buy into this propaganda of the worst kind, Fox allows to be spewd, avoid watching the truth tellers like Keith Olbermann & Rachel Maddow on MSNBC & that probably explains the lower ratings.

Maybe the reason is because truth hurts them & they can't take it?

[fifty7kevy]

No.....K.O. and R.M. are both sanctimonious and in spite of their self proclaimed "smartness", they have an utter lack wisdom and understanding. Education serves a person well only when they are able to apply it successfully in life.

As far as truth is concerned, when have you ever seen either of them volunteer to be cross examined by anyone other than progressive true believers?

[fifty7kevy]

Watch yourself....jumping to false conclusions makes a person into a facist very quickly.

[2Hope4ever]

Man this is an easy one. All the crazies of the fringe right wing watch FAUX news. Some liberals watch CNN and MSNBC. Most most intelligent people (liberals mostly) watch CSPAN and NPR. So, where does CSPAN and NPR fall in the ratings. So let's combined CNN, MSNBC, CSPAN, NPR and then see who gets the most ratings. Until then call someone who cares.

[mofmars333]

Hmmm. That explains it better than my explanation above which I thought made sense. Thanks, 2Hope4ever.

[KathyIndiana]

Who takes these polls anyway?

[gregman89]

I can't believe O'Reilly is number 1, what does Fox News have that makes it so popular?

[petera63]

Fair and balanced.
Plus top journalists, not just ranters like KO and RM.

[ChrisJones]

"Fair and Balanced" !! LOL what a joke

[uncomplicatedlife]

Fair and balanced enterainment maybe, but not much news...

[wingnutgator]

I usually flip back and forth between O'Reilly and Olberman as well as Maddow and Hannity. I view all four shows as essentially entertainment and enjoy the banter between the opposing guests. I will say that Fox does tend to have more credible "liberals" such as Bob Beckel and Susan Estrich than Msnbc does conservatives. I often feel that Olberman especially never offers any opposing views. When I want real factual news, I read newspapers, magazines and the internet sites of newspapers. I don't think anyone should rely on Fox or Msnbc for all their facts.

[flossophy]

see... this is the thing... i don't want Faux to be the only ones distributing 'objective' news... HEY LEFT! this is an extraordinary opporunity.... but you fumble and monopolize due to your shortsighted arrogance.

.... flossophy's message to the monolithic intellectual left.... currently in disarray.

don't worry... you'll retain your tenure.

[Ronald B. Robinson - Huffpost Blogger]

Beware of the "shiny-eyed" supremacists and the rampant individualism Murdoch is helping to spread through his "spiritual" and "self-empowerment" networks and codes. They are the modern front of his war of "spiritual terror" on the collective spirit of ONENESS and "the more just and perfect UNION" our times and planet cry out for. These networks are incredibly seductive and seduce even the most loving amongst us, especially those who feel, are, and/or have been abused, abandoned, rejected, and powerless.

They get their "shiny eyes" and sense of power, then speak in "spiritual tongues," preach "happiness," and talk about our being "One." But they are totally infected by the virus of individualism and are totally committed to their superiority and supremacy.

Don't be fooled by their seeming power, happiness, and symbolic gestures. But observe how they deal with those who don't submit to the imposition of their supremacy. Then you will see the stamp of Murdoch in their deeds.

Check out: "Murdoch and Fox Portray Black Men as Terrorists on '24'"
http://blogger.huffingtonpost.com/mt.cgi?__mode=view&_type=entry&id=172562&blog_id=3

[jsking2110]

"virus of individualism"? what the hell does that mean?
You have to be one of the most paranoid people in the country.

[mofmars333]

This coming from a Bush apologist. George the war criminal couldn't understand big words either.

[flossophy]

i rest my case.

[flossophy]

the current administration will not survive fox

[Ravyn]

Not sure all the people watching these Fox show actually like the hosts, but don't tune in just to see what outrageous thing they'll say even if they don't agree with it. Now if all those people who are also Nielsen viewers, turned out, then I wonder what the ratings would be. If you don't like these guys yet are watching and are a Nielsen viewer, please stop. You're helping them stay on the air. It's fine to have the opposing opinion if it is thoughtful and insightful, in a way that William F. Buckley was, but not if it is someone like Glenn or Sean or Bill. Geez!

[swo68]

You realize that works both ways, right? People tune in to Olbermann or Maddow to see the crazies, too.

[flossophy]

very good point.

it's lost on the pr0gresso sh33p... unfortunately

[vasta]

I hate, hate fox news.

CNN and MSNBC desparately need some NEW, DYNAMIC, INTELLIGENT ANCHORS.

2-3 million viewers for Fox news is pretty impressive.

[Chicagofan1]

Do not hate... It's bad for you.