NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FOX Business Network (FBN) ended the first quarter of 2018 as the number one rated business network on television for the sixth consecutive quarter, according to Nielsen Media Research. Delivering its highest rated quarter ever in Business Day viewers, FBN had six of the top seven business programs on cable. Additionally, the network outpaced rival CNBC across the all-important Business Day and Market Hours dayparts in total viewers.
During a quarter featuring historic market sell-offs and major breaking business news such as a government shutdown and tariff negotiations, FBN saw its Business Day audience grow 13 percent over last year. Led by strong performances from anchors Stuart Varney, Neil Cavuto, Trish Regan, and Liz Claman, FBN’s Business Day came out 19 percent ahead of CNBC’s quarterly performance, delivering 239,000 total viewers compared to CNBC’s 201,000.
Stuart Varney’s three-hour market-open program Varney & Co (9AM-12PM/ET) was the highest-rated market program in business television for the quarter (290,000), dominating CNBC’s Squawk on the Street/Squawk Alley (219,000) in total viewers for the 20th straight month. Countdown to the Closing Bell with Liz Claman (3PM/ET) also placed in the top four programs, delivering 229,000 total viewers for the quarter, continuing her reign as the highest-rated female business anchor on television.
FBN’s pre and post-market coverage also showed strong growth for the quarter. Lou Dobbs’ eponymous program Lou Dobbs Tonight continues to be the number one rated news program on business television in both total viewers (368,000) and the demo (44,000), marking nine consecutive quarters atop the 7PM/ET timeslot rankings.
Maria Bartiromo’s Mornings with Maria (6-9AM/ET) saw viewership increase 32 percent over last year while Risk & Reward (5PM/ET) and Making Money with Charles Payne (6PM/ET) also topped their nightly competition in total viewers. Additionally, Maria Bartiromo’s Wall Street (Fridays at 8PM/ET), anchored by Bartiromo, saw a 20 percent increase in viewers over last year.
FBN closed out the month of March with its tenth consecutive monthly win over CNBC. Averaging 221,000 total Business Day viewers, FBN was 16 percent higher than CNBC during Business Day for March which had 190,000 total viewers. Additionally, FBN grew its audience 9 percent in March, with all Business Day programs topping CNBC in total viewers during their timeslots.
1Q’18 Business Day Ratings:
FBN:
239,000 P2+ and 31,000 A25-54
CNBC: 201,000 P2+ and
35,000 A25-54
March 2018 Business Day Ratings:
FBN:
221,000 P2+ and 30,000 A25-54
CNBC: 190,000 P2+ and 31,000 A25-54
1Q’18 Program Ranker for the Top Seven Business Programs:
Total Viewers: Lou Dobbs Tonight (368,000), Varney & Co (290,000), Squawk on the Street (230,000), Countdown to Closing Bell (229,000), CAVUTO Coast to Coast (219,000), After the Bell (208,000), The Intelligence Report with Trish Regan (203,000)
FOX Business Network (FBN) is a financial news channel delivering real-time information across all platforms that impact both Main Street and Wall Street. Headquartered in New York—the business capital of the world—FBN launched in October 2007 and is the leading business network on television, topping CNBC in Business Day viewers for the past six consecutive quarters. The network is available in more than 80 million homes in all markets across the United States. Owned by 21st Century Fox, the network has bureaus in Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. and London. On the web at www.foxbusiness.com
