Iran Coverage Ratings: Fox News On Top

Since the beginning of the protests over Iran's presidential election began on June 13, Americans have tuned in in large numbers to Fox News for coverage of the situation.

From June 13 through June 21, Fox News led among cable news outlets in Monday-Sunday total viewership, averaging 1.042 million total viewers (a 34% increase over last year). CNN took 2nd over the same period, averaging 546,000 total viewers (a 6% increase over last year). MSNBC, which has been criticized for running its regular weekend programming instead of covering the crisis, averaged 350,000 total viewers (down 8%).

Fox News also won the Adults 25-54 demographic with an average of 275,000 A25-54 viewers, up 40% from last year. CNN averaged 152,000 A25-54 (down 4%) and MSNBC averaged 135,000 A25-54 viewers (up 1%).

Over the same week-long span, Fox News also led in primetime with an average of 1.852 million total viewers, an increase of 36% over last year. MSNBC placed second with an average of 665,000 total viewers, up 3% from last year, while CNN averaged 638,000 total viewers, down 20%.

In the Monday-Sunday prime demo, Fox News also prevailed (443,000, up 47%), while MSNBC took 2nd (248,000, up 9%) and CNN came in 3rd (174,000, down 27%).

These numbers may be surprising insofar as CNN has generally performed well during big, breaking news stories like the situation in Iran.

However, the week was not a total disappointment for CNN, which had the most year-to-date growth on Saturday, and saw the highest viewership spikes over the most hours on the same day (10 in total). CNN finished in 2nd on Saturday, averaging 682,000 total viewers to Fox News' 900,000, and was competitive with Fox News in the A25-54 demographic (195,000 to 214,000).

Also on Saturday, Fox News' Shepard Smith anchored a special report from 7-9PM which averaged 1,479,000 total viewers. Smith's 8-9PM block was the highest-rated hour on cable news for the entire weekend.

Comments

[JerryLevy]

FOX does the hard stories and has a lot of sources inside Iran. CNN usually worries much more about offending the host country. Their goal is to have bureaus in as as many countries as possible and towing the government line is one way they get it. Even the former CNN president admitted they did not criticize Saddam Hussain so they could have a bureau in Iraq. CNN is notoriously one sided on the Israeli Palestinian conflict as they do not want to offend the Palestinians. Same for Cuba. It is one of the reasons their ratings are sinking so bad.

[dessertsfirst]

Shep Smith is the best news person that FAUX news has.
He tends to march to the beat of his own drummer, pretty much. I've often wondered how he manages to say some of the things he does, because it is not typical for FAUX.
Keep up the good work, Shep!

[sailor422]

It's understandable that Fox Spews gets good numbers. ALL the right wing wackos watch Faux. The people who use their minds are divided among ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, PBS, and MSNBC. A realistic comparison must be between The GOP Network and the rest of broadcast news.

[4KixAfter6]

These ratings make as much sense as the Iranian elections.

[c661]

Why would anyone be suprised at this, the Republicans Love war!!!!

[babo74]

While the demos don't even bother? Truly love your reasoning.

[KathyIndiana]

I watch Fox on the weekends, since MSNBC can't be bothered to do any news after noon on the weekends. The world could be blowing up but doc-blocks get better ratings so that's all MSNBC will offer on Saturday and Sunday. News channel my foot; no wonder Fox gets high ratings. They must poll viewers on the weekends.

[Jezdukowski]

Surprised that there are two million morans in America? Really? Only two million???

[pbhawks45]

I'm not a big fan of Fox News, but if you are going to call someone a "moran", spell it the right way.

[GeorgeP922]

Instead of praising Fox news for your Editor's delight, try attacking them for not interviewing Nico Pitney's history making live blog.

[DeeW]

Well, I'm surprised. And saddened.

[crayola 08b]

i was really shocked that while these historic events in iran were unfolding over the weekend MSNBC was airing their usual prison show drivel. they have absolutely no credibility as a news network to me anymore. they should be ashamed.

[JakeMontero]

I like CNN. MSNBC and Faux provide talking points

[obamaluv]

Sheep don't know nothing- Obama said Fox news all day long is out to get him . Must be so . Lets all march behind Mr. Pres. Obama. And watch prison stuff on TV

[Kelly Laraia]

Shep Smith does very good work and he does it without idealogical ranting.

If Fox is getting all the conservative (call them wing-nuts if you like) viewers and winning the ratings by large margins. Perhaps CNN and MSNBC should attempt to compete for a portion of those conservative viewers. Just a thought.

[waustingray]

makes perfect sense. everyone on the right gets their news from fox, with more and more wingnuts tuning in every week. everyone else who wants real news goes online. the rest i guess tune into CNN

[obamaluv]

Ignence is bliss aint it. So keep watching CNN and stay happy

[Jezdukowski]

Meh. Don't watch any of them, truth is they're ALL owned by corporate puppetmasters - continuously pushing the left-right paradigm - that further divides us and keeps us distracted while they rob us blind. No thanks, I've much better things to do with my time.

[kappa08]

I am convinced that the ratings system is bought....­or maybe I have successfully rid myself of all those in my life that chase shiny objects. Because I don't know anybody that watches that swill...