During the critical election week, Fox News established itself as the leading cable news network in the United States, attracting an average of 1.4 million total viewers for the week of November 3. This marked a significant achievement for the network, which surpassed its competitors CNN and MSNBC in both total day and primetime viewership. The network’s coverage of key races in Virginia, New Jersey, and New York City played a vital role in its strong ratings performance. In addition, Fox News dominated primetime with an average of 2.2 million viewers, outdrawing all other networks. The network’s election night coverage, which averaged 2.92 million primetime viewers, also outperformed MSNBC and CNN, demonstrating its continued appeal.
Fox News’ election night coverage also outdrew NBC in 23 of the top 25 markets, including major cities such as New York, Chicago, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C. The network’s strong showing was further highlighted by the performance of its flagship programs, such as ‘The Five’ and ‘Hannity,’ which ranked first in cable news and among the coveted demographic of adults aged 25 to 54, respectively. Other popular shows like ‘Gutfeld!’ also achieved notable success, surpassing several major television programs on other networks. With its strong performance during election week, Fox News continued to reinforce its position as a leading force in U.S. news media.
The broadcast of the election night special, which featured sweeping Democratic victories in major races, including the Virginia and New Jersey governor’s contests, and the election of Zohran Mamdani as the next mayor of New York City, drew even more attention. The network’s exclusive interview with Erika Kirk, the widow of late influencer Charlie Kirk, also resonated with audiences, drawing a significant viewership. The report on Melania Trump being named ‘Fox Nation’s Patriot of the Year’ for her global children’s advocacy work emphasized the network’s support for conservative values and influential figures within the Republican Party.