Nielsen Data

FOX News Media’s coverage of President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance’s inauguration has become the most-watched non-primetime telecast in cable news history, drawing 11.7 million viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research. Co-anchored by Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum, the special programming secured 80% of the cable news audience share, outpacing competitors CNN and MSNBC by a significant margin. FNC achieved a historic peak of 12 million viewers during the 12 PM ET hour, making it the most-watched network across all cable and broadcast channels. With 2.5 million viewers in the key A25-54 demographic, FOX News further solidified its position as a leader in cable news. The network also experienced triple-digit growth compared to inauguration coverage in 2021 and notable gains over 2017. During the 11:30 AM – 1 PM ET slot, FNC averaged 11.4 million viewers, far surpassing CNN’s 1.9 million and MSNBC’s 938,000. Post-ceremony programming, including The Five and Special Report with Bret Baier, maintained dominance with 8.8 million and 8.3 million viewers, respectively. Digital platforms also saw a surge, with FOX News Digital recording its highest engagement since the 2024 election. FOX News Go experienced a 35% increase in unique viewing devices and an 83% rise in total view time compared to the 2021 inauguration. Social media interactions across Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok reached 8.8 million, further bolstering the network’s digital footprint. As the most politically diverse audience in cable news, FOX News Media remains a dominant force, delivering unmatched viewership and engagement across all platforms.