Fox News Triumphs with Zelenskyy Interview, Dominates Ratings Landscape
Fox News Channel has secured a significant victory, achieving stellar ratings with Bret Baier’s exclusive interview with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The interview, which followed Zelenskyy’s high-profile meeting with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, drew a massive audience, surpassing the viewership of both NBC and CBS evening newscasts. This success underscores Fox News’ continued dominance in the cable news arena and its ability to attract viewers with compelling interviews and news coverage.
The "Special Report with Bret Baier" program reached a peak of 6.4 million viewers during the first 15 minutes, coinciding with the Zelenskyy interview. This period also captured 855,000 viewers within the highly sought-after demographic of adults aged 25-54, a key target for advertisers. The first half-hour of "Special Report," from 6:00 to 6:30 p.m. ET, averaged 6.2 million total viewers, exceeding the established audiences of NBC and CBS during that day’s evening news broadcasts. In comparison, "NBC Nightly News" averaged 5.76 million viewers, while "CBS Evening News" drew 3.9 million viewers during the 6:30-7:00 p.m. ET timeslot.
The ratings surge for "Special Report" highlights the immense interest in Zelenskyy’s perspective following his meeting with Trump and Vance. The interview provided viewers with a unique opportunity to hear Zelenskyy’s direct responses to critical questions regarding the relationship between Ukraine and the United States. The interview also delivered crucial insights into the current political and strategic landscape.
Fox Corporation CEO Lachlan Murdoch has publicly celebrated Fox News Channel’s remarkable success, highlighting the network’s thriving ratings and advertising revenue. Murdoch attributed the network’s strong performance to its commitment to delivering comprehensive news coverage and engaging programming. The network’s consistent ratings success demonstrates its strong connection with its audience.
Zelenskyy’s remarks during the interview generated considerable media attention. When Baier questioned him about whether he apologized to Trump following their previous diplomatic disagreements, Zelenskyy stated that he was "not sure that we did something bad." He further elaborated on his reaction to criticisms leveled against Ukraine by some American politicians.
"When [American politicians], for example, say that Ukraine is almost destroyed, that our soldiers run away, that they are not heroes, that Ukraine lost million[s] of civilians, its president is [a] dictator, you know, what is reaction? It’s not about me. The reaction is that where is our friendship, Ukraine and United States?" Zelenskyy stated. He then acknowledged that the past tensions were "not good" for both the United States and Ukraine.
Zelenskyy’s candid responses during the interview resonated with viewers. His comments provided context to the complex relationship between Ukraine and the United States. The interview offered a glimpse into the challenges faced by Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict and the country’s need for continued support.
Beyond the success of the Zelenskyy interview, Fox News Channel has achieved broader ratings success. The network recently reported its best February in its history, outperforming CNN and MSNBC in both total viewership and key demographics.
For the week in question, Fox News Channel surpassed NBC and ABC in primetime viewership, averaging 3.6 million total viewers compared to NBC’s 3.5 million and ABC’s 2.2 million. This consistent performance demonstrates Fox News’ appeal to a broad audience across its primetime lineup.
"The Five" continued to maintain its position as the most-watched program on cable news, averaging 4.6 million viewers during the week. This highlights the consistent popularity of the show and its ability to attract a large audience.
Other programs in the Fox News lineup also delivered strong ratings. "Special Report" averaged 3.8 million viewers, "The Ingraham Angle" averaged 3.5 million, "Jesse Watters Primetime" averaged 4.2 million, "Hannity" averaged 3.3 million, "Gutfeld!" averaged 3.3 million, and "Fox News @ Night" averaged 1.8 million. The consistently strong performance across these programs reinforces Fox News’ strength across its entire programming schedule.
The network also reported that over 10 million viewers tuned into Fox News for its inauguration coverage, surpassing all other networks. This underscores Fox News’ dominance in covering major political events. The network’s ability to attract a massive audience for significant events highlights its position as a leading source of news and information.
The success of Fox News Channel can be attributed to several factors, including its commitment to providing comprehensive news coverage, its ability to attract prominent guests and interview subjects, and its consistent delivery of programming that resonates with its core audience. The network’s focus on delivering a distinct perspective on current events has also contributed to its success.
The impressive ratings achieved by Fox News, particularly with the Zelenskyy interview, demonstrate the network’s continued influence in the media landscape. The network’s success highlights the demand for diverse perspectives and comprehensive coverage of important national and international issues. Fox News Channel’s ability to capture and maintain a large audience positions it as a leading voice in the ongoing national dialogue. The strong ratings are a clear indication of the network’s enduring appeal and its position as a dominant force in the world of cable news.
