Fox Tops In Ratings For Seventh Straight Quarter

Atlanta Journal-Constitution ^ | 9/30/03 | Caroline Wilbert

[Ex-Dem]

Four news networks --CNN, Headline News, MSNBC and CNBC -- lost viewership in the third quarter, but powerhouse Fox News picked up steam, according to Nielsen Media Research.

In the third quarter, Atlanta-based CNN attracted an average of 440,000 -- down 15 percent from the same period last year. Sister network Headline News attracted an average of 170,000, down 25 percent.

MSNBC drew an average of 203,000 viewers, a 19 percent slide. And CNBC got an average of 160,000, down 23 percent.

Meanwhile, Fox increased viewership 17 percent, attracting an average of 730,000 viewers.

This is the seventh straight quarter that Fox has won the news network ratings war.

[DeFault User]

Except in the Atlanta airport.

You probably can't get a Pepsi there either.

[Coop]

Everywhere I go these days, FoxNews is increasingly on the monitors instead of CNN. Airports, bars, hotels, etc.

I've noticed little difference there - CNN still seems to be the default. But FNC's dominance is even more amazing given that CNN is offered in so many more homes than FNC.

[Coop]

Don't confuse Fox with FNC. The only thing we can stomach watching on Fox is America's Most Wanted, which is quality programming that's actually providing a service. Most of the rest is indeed garbage.

Fox News Channel, though, does an excellent job of covering both (or multiple) sides of a story.

[mewzilla]

Bwah hah hah hah hah...

[j_tull]

I STILL can't get FNC from Com(munist)cast, and don't have line of sight for the dish. Bastages!

[bert]

She's afraid of alGore's new network. CNN and Headline news will drop another 10,000 viewers when that gets up and running.

[far sider]

CNN just doesn't care anymore. After all, according to Ted we'll all be dead in 50 years anyway.

[hardknocks]

Ha!! CNN will just keep sliding down the poll... no concern to me, I don't watch them anyhow.

[Helms]

Going, going, going…………………>…Graveyard……………..GONE

[Wright is right!]

"Don't confuse Fox with FNC. The only thing we can stomach watching on Fox is America's Most Wanted, which is quality programming that's actually providing a service. Most of the rest is indeed garbage."

The Fox TV Network has picked out an advertiser niche and is aiming squarely for it. It is the 18-34 Male demo, which usually brings along a sizeable amount of 18-34 females as well. All the other broadcast networks are aiming at 25-54 females, a completely different animal.

To hit a big chunk of 18-34's, you play to (lamentably) their frat-house entertainment tastes. Of course, once in a while Fox will hit on a crossover phonom, like it did with "Joe Millionaire" - which, amazingly is coming back with a second guy and a second group of "girls-that-don't-know" - but, for the most part, they aim 18-34 and deliver. You're not going to lock in most 18-34 viewers with La Boheme.

Michael

[Coop]

Very good point. And you won't be surprised to find I fall outside of their targeted market. :-)

[babaloo]

I've noticed the switch to FNC in public places too. I was in a local department store not too long ago and the TV in the central lounge area was tuned into Fox. It also is on at two of the "sports" watering holes I wander into from time to time. The FNC watchers are the squeaky wheels and are turning the tide.

[wayoverontheright]

This is the seventh straight quarter that Fox has won the news network ratings war.

The left-leaning media are being BLUDGEONED by a right-leaning one, and Algore wants to start up a left-leaning network.

It'll be about like opening a scuba diving supply store in Yuma.

[nutmeg]

FoxFan ping!

Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my FoxFan list. *Warning: This can be a high-volume ping list at times.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the heads up!

[stands2reason]

Went to a bar tonight, and they had three TV's with the baseball game on, and one with Fox News. It's getting there.