The Post-Tucker Carlson Era: Fox News Ratings Take a Tumble
When Tucker Carlson, the Fox News prime time behemoth, exited the network, it wasn’t just a standard reshuffle. His departure signaled a significant turning point in the channel’s viewership ratings. It is now clear that Carlson’s influence, especially in the coveted 25-54 demographic, was profound, and his absence has sent ripples through Fox News’ once impregnable fortress of viewer ratings.
At the pinnacle of his career, Carlson’s “Tucker Carlson Tonight” not only dominated Fox News’ 8 PM slot but also consistently topped the charts among all cable news programs. Routinely, he attracted 400,000 or more viewers within the key 25-54 demographic, making his show a stronghold for the network. His departure has led to an unprecedented decline in this crucial viewership segment.
The fallout from Carlson’s departure has been severe. The 8 PM slot has seen an alarming drop in ratings. Where once it reigned supreme, it now grapples with barely 100,000 viewers, which is even less than MSNBC’s performance in the same time slot. It’s evident that Fox News has struggled to fill the void left by Carlson, and the impact has been more significant than initially projected.
The 8pm slot on Fox with Tucker was not only consistently number 1 in the key demo – 25-54 – but routinely had 400,000 viewers or more. Without Tucker, it’s crashed to worse-than-MSNBC levels: barely 100,000 people. Hannity is in 14th place, behind Joy Reid! – Glenn Greenwald
Furthermore, moving Sean Hannity to Carlson’s prime time slot hasn’t provided the panacea the network had hoped for. Despite Hannity’s established popularity and loyal fan base, his show now ranks 14th overall, even trailing behind MSNBC’s Joy Reid. This shift denotes a substantial shift in viewing habits, one Fox News must reckon with swiftly.
Hannity takes that sweet spot at #14, just behind Joy Reid. https://t.co/SxDjfwcVAV
— Spinquark (@SpinquarkNews) June 21, 2023
The immediate aftermath of Carlson’s departure has proven that his contribution to the channel was monumental. His departure has upset the balance in prime time slots that Fox News had dominated, leading to a drastic drop in the network’s ratings. These figures highlight the challenges the network now faces as it tries to reclaim its top spot without one of its most influential figures.
It’s so clear Fox’s firing of Tucker was not just financially driven, bereft of the Murdochs’ and Paul Ryan’s ideological goals. Firing Tucker destroyed its prime-time ratings. There’s no argument Tucker’s twice-a-week Twitter postings compete with Fox. They want him silenced. – Glenn Greenwald
Meanwhile, the rest of the network’s lineup is grappling with mixed results. While some shows have managed to retain their average viewership, others struggle to do so, particularly during daytime slots. These shifting dynamics underscore the daunting task that Fox News faces in recapturing its lost viewership.
The drop in ratings since Carlson’s exit has posed a serious challenge to Fox News. Once a dominant force in cable news, the network now battles to regain its lost viewership and restore its credibility. This struggle is particularly felt in the key demographic where Carlson was once king.
In conclusion, the departure of Tucker Carlson has significantly impacted Fox News, notably in the key 25-54 demographic, where it has lost its dominance. The post-Carlson era has forced the network to reconsider its strategies and confront the reality of a changing viewership landscape. As the network strives to rebuild its ratings, the long-term effects of this upheaval remain to be seen.
Want to know more?
- Fox News Ratings Collapse in Key Demo after Firing Tucker Carlson: ‘Hannity in 14th Place, Behind Joy Reid – Slay News
- TOTAL COLLAPSE: Fox News Ratings Bloodbath After Ousting Tucker Carlson: ‘Hannity in 14th Place, Behind Joy Reid’ – Geller Report
- “The collapse in pay TV subscribers is also bad news for Fox News, MSNBC, MTV, Comedy Central, and others… The ratings just aren’t there to survive on revenue or as a standalone streaming service. Fox had the ratings until the Cucks dropped Tucker Carlson – Breitbart
- Despite Declining Ratings, Hostility Toward Trump, Fox News Anchors To Moderate First GOP Debate – DC Enquirer