In a year marked by extraordinary political events, international conflicts, and significant breaking news, Fox News Channel (FNC) solidified its position as the leading cable news network, achieving its highest audience share since 2015. The network's comprehensive coverage of President Biden's debate withdrawal, Vice President Harris's subsequent nomination, and President-elect Trump's victory resonated with viewers across the nation.

Anchors Martha MacCallum and Bret Baier spearheaded FNC's "Democracy 2024" election coverage. (FOX News Media)

FNC averaged 1.5 million total daily viewers and 2.4 million primetime viewers, surpassing all other cable news networks. This marks the ninth consecutive year that FNC has held the top spot in both categories, with a substantial audience increase of 21% in total day viewership and 30% in primetime viewership compared to 2023. CEO Suzanne Scott attributed the network's success to its unparalleled reporting and analysis, which attracted a diverse viewership seeking insightful coverage of critical events.

The network's dominance extended to the coveted 25-54 demographic, where FNC significantly outperformed competitors. In primetime, FNC attracted 298,000 viewers in this demographic, compared to 147,000 for CNN and 133,000 for MSNBC. This success underscores FNC's appeal to a key audience segment valued by advertisers.

"The Five" secured its position as the leading cable news program for the third consecutive year, averaging 3.4 million viewers. The show's success culminated in a record-breaking fourth quarter, becoming the first non-primetime program to surpass four million viewers.

FNC's programming lineup consistently outperformed competitors, with shows like "Jesse Watters Primetime," "Hannity," "Gutfeld!," "The Ingraham Angle," and "Special Report with Bret Baier" attracting larger audiences than any offerings from CNN or MSNBC. Notably, "Gutfeld!" led all cable news programs in the 25-54 demographic, even surpassing late-night broadcast shows like "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" and "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon."

"Gutfeld!" achieved remarkable success, attracting an average of 355,000 viewers in the key 25-54 demographic. (Fox News Media)

FNC's success continued across its programming schedule, with strong performances from shows like "FOX & Friends," "FOX & Friends First," and "FOX News @ Night." The network's programs accounted for 70 of the top 100 cable news telecasts and boasted the highest viewer engagement across all categories. Weekend programming also achieved record-high audience shares, with "Life, Liberty and Levin" leading on Saturdays and "Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo" dominating on Sundays.

Bret Baier's interview with Vice President Kamala Harris drew nearly eight million viewers, becoming the most-watched interview of the election cycle.

Bret Baier's interview with Vice President Harris was a ratings highlight. (Fox News Channel)

FNC's election night coverage attracted nearly 13.6 million viewers, securing the top spot among all television networks. Furthermore, FNC's coverage of Vice President Harris's concession speech also led in viewership with nearly eight million viewers. The network also set a record for primetime convention coverage during the Republican National Convention. Since President-elect Trump's victory, FNC has commanded a significant 73% share of the primetime cable news audience, while MSNBC and CNN experienced viewership declines.