Fox News continues to dominate the cable news landscape, securing an overwhelming 14 of the Top 15 most-watched shows among total viewers for the second quarter of 2025. The ratings, reported by AdWeek and based on Nielsen data, cover April through June and cement the network’s grip on prime viewing slots despite slight quarter-over-quarter dips.
Overall, Fox News averaged 2.633 million total primetime viewers and 1.632 million total day viewers for Q2. While that marks a 13% drop in primetime and a 15% drop in total day compared to Q1, the network still posted an impressive 25% year-over-year gain in both categories.
The Five once again led the pack, averaging a massive 3.851 million viewers in its 5 p.m. ET slot. The panel show, hosted by Greg Gutfeld, Dana Perino, Jesse Watters, and alternating co-hosts Jessica Tarlov and Harold Ford Jr., blends politics with personality-driven banter, making it a ratings juggernaut.
Jesse Watters Primetime followed closely at #2 with 3.431 million viewers. Watters, who also appears on The Five, uses his primetime perch for a mix of sharp political commentary and provocative segments that often go viral.
Gutfeld! landed at #3 with 3.009 million viewers. Billed as a late-night alternative, Greg Gutfeld’s satirical take on politics and pop culture has consistently outperformed traditional network late-night shows.
Hannity, hosted by longtime conservative commentator Sean Hannity, came in at #4 with 3.006 million viewers. Known for his close ties to prominent Republican figures, Hannity continues to be one of Fox’s biggest draws.
Special Report with Bret Baier ranked #5 with 2.888 million viewers. Baier’s straight-news approach and in-depth political analysis make it one of Fox’s most respected news programs.
The Ingraham Angle, hosted by Laura Ingraham, claimed the #6 spot with 2.749 million viewers. Ingraham blends cultural commentary with sharp political critiques, making her a favorite among Fox’s prime audience.
Rounding out the rest of Fox’s ratings powerhouses:
7. The Will Cain Show (2.168M) – Will Cain’s show combines sports, politics, and culture with a conservative lean, appealing to crossover audiences.
8. Outnumbered (2.045M) – A midday panel show featuring four female hosts and one male guest discussing the day’s biggest news.
10. The Faulkner Focus (1.945M) – Harris Faulkner delivers breaking news coverage with a hard-news tone.
11. America’s Newsroom (1.941M) – Bill Hemmer and Dana Perino co-anchor this late-morning news block.
12. America Reports (1.938M) – Anchored by John Roberts and Sandra Smith, focusing on Washington politics and national news.
13. The Story with Martha MacCallum (1.913M) – Martha MacCallum offers interviews and deep dives into major political stories.
14. Fox News at Night (1.682M) – A late-night news wrap-up with a mix of analysis and feature segments.
15. Fox & Friends (1.411M) – Fox’s long-running morning show mixing politics, entertainment, and lifestyle coverage.
The only non-Fox News program to crack the Top 15 was The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC, which landed at #9 with 2.039 million viewers. Maddow, who now hosts only on Monday nights as of May 5, remains a major ratings draw despite her reduced schedule.
Over on CNN, Erin Burnett OutFront led the network with 610,000 total viewers, while NewsNation’s Cuomo averaged 170,000, marking a 24% gain in primetime compared to last year. Rob Schmitt Tonight was Newsmax’s top show with 412,000 viewers, and CNBC’s Squawk on the Street led its network with 220,000 viewers.
While Fox News still reigns supreme, MSNBC was notably the only network not to lose viewers in total day compared to Q1. However, Maddow’s reduced hosting schedule has taken a toll on MSNBC’s primetime performance.
For Q2, the message is clear: Fox News not only owns primetime — it dominates nearly every hour of the day.
