FOX News Media’s Inauguration Day Coverage Sets Records
FOX News Media’s special programming surrounding the inauguration of President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance was the highest rated in all of television, according to early data from Nielsen Media Research. The network’s coverage peaked at 10.9 million viewers and 2.1 million in A25-54 in the 12 PM/ET hour.
Co-anchored by Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum, FNC’s Inauguration of Donald Trump garnered 10.3 million in viewers and 2 million in A25-54, outpacing broadcast networks ABC, NBC, CBS in viewers and all cable networks across the board. It was FNC’s second-highest rated Inauguration Day special programming in network history.
During inauguration coverage, FNC held 80% of the cable news audience share in viewers and 76% in the A25-54 demo. MSNBC delivered its lowest-rated inauguration day coverage ever, and CNN fell to its second lowest-rated inauguration in network history.
FNC’s programming from 11:30 AM – 5 PM/ET averaged 8.1 million viewers and 1.5 million in A25-54, leading all of television with coverage peaking in the 12 PM/ET hour with 10.7 million viewers and 2.1 million in A25-54. FNC’s inauguration coverage posted triple digit increases versus the inauguration of President Joe Biden in 2021.
The network’s digital properties saw growth compared to the 2021 and 2017 inaugurations, with FOX News Digital’s best day since the day after the 2024 election. FOX News Go’s unique viewing devices was up 35%, total view time was up 83%, and media initiatives was up 72%.
On social media, FOX News Media properties were number one in total social engagement among the news competitive set, with 8.8 million social interactions across Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok. FOX News was also the top news brand on YouTube, driving 142% more video views than NBC News.