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Fox says business network surpasses CNBC in viewers

(Still frame courtesy Fox News Media, Graphic by The Desk)

The Fox Business Network surpassed CNBC as the most-watched business network in America, according to a statement from the media company this week.

In a press release issued on Tuesday, Fox News Media said increased interest in the business channel in the second quarter of 2022 was spurred in part by increased inflation and “fear of a recession.”

It was the first time since the network launched in 2007 that it was able to gain a ratings lead over Comcast’s CNBC, which has been offered on cable and satellite since the late 1980s.

“Fox Business Network was the go-to destination for breaking news, outpacing CNBC with a 6 percent average in total viewers,” a spokesperson for the business channel said, citing ratings data provided by Nielsen Media Research. “Additionally, the network’s total day viewership garnered 132,000 viewers, up 22 percent year-over-year…[and] the network’s critical market hours grew by 21 percent year-over-year.”

“Kudlow,” a program hosted by former CNBC host Larry Kudlow, topped “Closing Bell” on CNBC with an average of 306,000 viewers, Fox News Media said, while the opening bell program “Varney & Company” came in second to CNBC.

“With 219,000 business day and 132,000 total day viewers, the network saw double-digit year-over-year growth across the board in all key dayparts,” the spokesperson affirmed.

In addition to CNBC, the Fox Business Network competes with a localized version of Bloomberg Television as well as Altice’s Cheddar. The channel is available most only cable and satellite platforms, though it is also distributed on Dish Network’s Sling TV, Google’s YouTube TV, DirecTV Stream, Disney’s Hulu with Live TV and Fubo TV.

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About the Author:

Matthew Keys

Matthew Keys is a nationally-recognized, award-winning journalist who has covered the business of media, technology, radio and television for more than 11 years. He is the publisher of The Desk and contributes to Know Techie, Digital Content Next and StreamTV Insider. He previously worked for Thomson Reuters, the Walt Disney Company, McNaughton Newspapers and Tribune Broadcasting.
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