Fox News has once again proven its dominance in the cable news industry, holding an almost unshakable lead over its competitors in the second quarter of 2025. According to Nielsen data reported by AdWeek, the network captured a staggering 14 of the Top 15 most-watched shows among total viewers, underscoring its firm grip on American primetime and beyond. The ratings cover April through June and reveal that, despite some dips compared to the first quarter, Fox News continues to reign as the network of choice for millions of viewers.

On average, Fox News pulled in 2.633 million total primetime viewers and 1.632 million viewers across the entire day. While those figures reflect a 13% drop in primetime and a 15% decline in total day compared to Q1, the bigger picture tells a different story. Year-over-year, the network actually enjoyed an impressive 25% gain in both categories, showing that its long-term growth remains robust.

At the top of the leaderboard was The Five, which continues to be a powerhouse at 5 p.m. ET. Drawing an average of 3.851 million viewers, the panel show blends news, politics, and personality-driven conversation in a way that keeps audiences glued to the screen. Co-hosted by Greg Gutfeld, Dana Perino, Jesse Watters, along with rotating panelists Jessica Tarlov and Harold Ford Jr., the program has become a ratings juggernaut for Fox News.

Right behind it was Jesse Watters Primetime, which averaged 3.431 million viewers. Watters, who also appears on The Five, has leveraged his primetime slot with a mix of sharp political commentary and viral-ready segments, making him one of the network’s most versatile stars.

In third place was Gutfeld!, Greg Gutfeld’s late-night talk show that has successfully carved out a unique space in the industry. With 3.009 million viewers, the show has outpaced traditional network late-night programming by mixing humor, satire, and pointed political commentary.

Sean Hannity’s long-running Hannity show followed closely in fourth with 3.006 million viewers. Known for his close relationships with key Republican figures, Hannity remains one of Fox’s most influential voices. Rounding out the Top 5 was Special Report with Bret Baier, which brought in 2.888 million viewers. Baier’s program stands out for its straightforward reporting and in-depth political analysis, earning it a reputation as one of Fox’s most serious and respected offerings.

Laura Ingraham’s The Ingraham Angle landed in sixth place, drawing 2.749 million viewers. Known for her blend of cultural critiques and political commentary, Ingraham remains a staple in Fox’s primetime lineup.

The rest of Fox’s heavy-hitters included:

• The Will Cain Show (#7, 2.168M) – Blending sports, culture, and politics with a conservative edge.

• Outnumbered (#8, 2.045M) – A midday panel show with four female hosts and a rotating male guest, tackling the day’s top news.

• The Faulkner Focus (#10, 1.945M) – Harris Faulkner’s sharp, hard-news coverage.

• America’s Newsroom (#11, 1.941M) – Anchored by Bill Hemmer and Dana Perino, offering late-morning news coverage.

• America Reports (#12, 1.938M) – John Roberts and Sandra Smith’s program focused heavily on Washington and national politics.

• The Story with Martha MacCallum (#13, 1.913M) – A mix of interviews and deeper dives into major stories.

• Fox News at Night (#14, 1.682M) – A late-night wrap-up with analysis and feature reports.

• Fox & Friends (#15, 1.411M) – The long-running morning show combining politics, lifestyle, and entertainment.

The only program outside of Fox News to crack the Top 15 was MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show, which ranked ninth with 2.039 million viewers. Even though Maddow now hosts just one night a week (Mondays), she remains a formidable draw for MSNBC.

As for Fox’s rivals, the gap was significant. CNN’s best performer, Erin Burnett OutFront, averaged 610,000 total viewers. NewsNation’s Cuomo pulled in 170,000 viewers, a 24% gain from last year, while Newsmax’s Rob Schmitt Tonight had 412,000. CNBC’s Squawk on the Street led its network with 220,000 viewers. MSNBC, though facing challenges in primetime due to Maddow’s reduced presence, was the only network that managed not to lose viewers in total day compared to the previous quarter.

The numbers from Q2 paint a clear picture: Fox News not only dominates primetime but also maintains a commanding lead nearly every hour of the day. Even as other networks find small areas of growth or stability, none come close to Fox’s sweeping ratings advantage.