With NBC still on track to top all TV in election night coverage, initial cable ratings have Fox News Channel moving into second place, topping both CNN and MSNBC among total viewers.
FNC scored an easy win in primetime with 11.45 million viewers between 8 and 11 p.m. on Tuesday night, pushing the network to its most-watched block ever. It was the only network of the three to grow in that time period from 2008, besting CNN (9.25 million viewers) and MSNBC (4.67 million viewers). FNC had the highest peak viewership as well, averaging 11.8 million between 10 and 11 p.m.
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The network did come in just shy of CNN in the coveted adults 25-54, though. CNN won that group with 4.57 million viewers, edging past FNC's 4.45 million. MSNBC pulled in 1.99 million in the demo.
CNN also has bragging rights between 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. The sprawling seven-hour block -- which includes returns from all states, Mitt Romney's concession speech and President Obama's victory lap -- saw the network edge past FNC with an average 8.84 million viewers. FNC was close behind with 8.7 million, followed by MSNBC with 4.6 million.
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The demo scores shared those rankings, with CNN out in front with 4.38 million adults 25-54, followed by FNC (8.7 million) and MSNBC (4.6 million).
Broadcast networks, which have thus far only reported fast affiliate returns, currently have NBC out in front with 12.56 million viewers. ABC follows with 11.15 million, with CBS behind with 8.42 million viewers.
More to come...
