OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
The winning streak at Fox News continues.
Newly released data shows that the hit show “The Five” was the number one show last week and the third overall rated program in all of cable news in May.
“Fox News Channel was the most-watched basic cable network in total day and the third-most-watched in primetime. The cable news powerhouse also averaged more total primetime viewers than CNN and MSNBC combined for the 45th consecutive week,” AdWeek reported.
“According to Nielsen live-plus-same-day data, Fox News averaged 2.29 million total viewers in primetime this past week, No. 3 behind the networks broadcasting the NBA and NHL playoffs TNT and ESPN—and +3% from what the network averaged in the daypart the previous week (May 9). Fox News also averaged 350,000 adults 25-54 in primetime, which is up +6% from the week prior and No. 3 behind playoffs-carrying TNT (1.335 million), and ESPN (1.09 million),” the report continued.
Jesse Watters not only co-hosts “The Five,” but he also leads his own program, “Jesse Watters Primetime.” His show came in third place as the most-watched program on Fox News, beating out Sean Hannity, Bret Baier, and Laura Ingraham.
“The Five was the most-watched show of the week, both in total viewers (3.19 million) and among adults 25-54 (469,000). Tucker Carlson Tonight came in second in average total viewers (2.97 million), followed by Jesse Watters Primetime at No. 3 (2.53 million viewers at 9 p.m.), Hannity at No. 4 (2.46 million at 7 p.m.), and Special Report with Bret Baier (2.285 million viewers at 6 p.m.) rounding out the five-most-watched,” the report stated.
Below are the 10 most-watched cable news shows from May:
–Fox News | 5 p.m. /The Five: 3,279,000 / 25 telecasts
–Fox News | 8 p.m. / Tucker Carlson Tonight: 3,233,000 / 22 telecasts
–Fox News | 9 p.m./ Hannity: 2,720,000 / 21 telecasts
–Fox News | 7 p.m./ Jesse Watters Primetime: 2,646,000 / 17 telecasts
–Fox News | 6 p.m. / Special Report with Bret Baier: 2,475,000 / 25 telecasts
–Fox News | 10 p.m./The Ingraham Angle: 2,256,000 / 23 telecasts
–Fox News | 11 p.m./Gutfeld! : 2,001,000 / 23 telecasts
–MSNBC | 9 p.m./The Rachel Maddow Show: 1,950,000 / 9 telecasts
–Fox News | 12 p.m. / Outnumbered: 1,774,000 / 26 telecasts
–Fox News | 9-10 a.m./10-11 a.m./America’s Newsroom: 1,709,000 / 50 telecasts
Fox News dominated cable news by such a large margin that the conservative network had more viewership in a key demo than CNN and MSNBC combined.
“Fox News dominated CNN and MSNBC in the month of May, beating their combined viewers in both the key 25-54 age demographic and in terms of total viewers –for the 10th straight month,” Mediaite reported.
“MSNBC came in second place among the three networks in terms of total viewers, while CNN landed in second in the demo. MSNBC has seen its demo viewership drop sharply in recent weeks and ended May with its lowest daytime demo average since November 1999 and its lowest prime-time average since May 2004,” the report added.
The top 7 cable news programs in May came from Fox News, with Rachel Maddow’s show on MSNBC — which she only hosts one day a week — coming in 8th place.
May was also a massive month for Hannity, Tucker Carlson, and the hit show “The Five.”
The Five remained the most-watched show on all of cable in May, bringing in 3.279 million total viewers, followed closely behind by Tucker Carlson Tonight’s 3.23 million total viewers.
Sean Hannity landed in third place with 2.72 million total viewers, despite some stiff competition from Jesse Watters who came in fourth with 2.64 million total viewers.
Bret Baier, Laura Ingraham, and Greg Gutfeld rounded out the top 7 places in the ratings – respectively. Maddow landed in 8th place with 1.95 million total viewers.
Hannity also recently became the longest-running prime-time cable news host.
Hannity, who has been with Fox News since its launch in 1996, smashed another record after becoming a host for nearly 25 years and six months.
“Sean’s authenticity and insightful commentary have created one of the most enduring connections with our audience and it’s been an honor to watch him over the years. A FOX News original, he has helped innovate the industry, and we are incredibly proud of his extraordinary success,” Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott said of Hannity’s longevity and success.
