FOX Business Network Tops All of Cable News in Primetime

FOX Business Network (FBN) was the number one rated cable news channel during primetime last week in the advertiser friendly demo of adults aged 25-54, according Nielsen Media Research. The network, which hosted the first presidential debate of the year on Thursday, also placed in the top 10 for all of cable in both total viewers and the demo. The GOP debate itself was the highest non-sports telecast of the week for all of cable. In addition, FBN's Business Day had its highest rated week ever, topping rival CNBC in both primetime and total day for the week.

Averaging 1.8 million total viewers, FBN placed third in all of cable primetime for the week, while its 487,000 viewers in the demo made the network the ninth highest rated channel on television. The strong numbers were helped by FBN's GOP debate, moderated by Neil Cavuto and Maria Bartiromo the event earned 11 million total viewers and 3 million in the demo. The debate was a driving force online with 1.165 peak concurrent streams.

The tumultuous week in the markets last week also helped bolster FBN to its highest rated Business Day (9:30A-5P/ET) ever with 157,000 total viewers. On Friday when the markets were in a massive selloff, FBN averaged 218,000 total viewers and topped CNBC from 5A-12P/ET by 27 percent. Altogether, FBN bested rival CNBC in both total day and primetime for the second time ever, earning 488,000 total viewers for the week compared to CNBC's 203,000 viewers (6A-6A/ET).

FBN ended 2015 as the fastest growing network in all of cable, and the momentum has continued with 2016 being the network's strongest start to the year ever. Up 139 percent in total viewers and 243 percent in the demo this year, FBN has pulled within 100,000 total viewers of CNBC during Business Day, marking the closest the two networks have been since FBN launched in 2007. Additionally, since its November 10th debate, FBN has seen Business Day rating increase 35 percent in total viewers and 50 percent in the demo, while rival CNBC conversely has seen a 5 percent drop in total viewers.

Fox Business Network (FBN) is a financial news channel delivering real-time information across all platforms that impact both Main Street and Wall Street. Headquartered in New York-the business capital of the world-FBN launched in October 2007 and is available in more than 80 million homes in major markets across the United States. Owned by 21st Century Fox, the network has bureaus in Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington, DC and London. On the web at www.foxbusiness.com.

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