Amazon founder and former CEO Jeff Bezos, the world’s richest man, flew on a supersonic excursion to the edge of space on July 20 aboard a suborbital capsule and rocket system named New Shepard. It was built by his space company Blue Origin. He, along with a few guest passengers including his brother Mark Bezos, took off from Van Horn, Texas. The trip lasted approximately 11 minutes.
Fox News Channel was the top cable news outlet with Bezos coverage, which began during “FOX & Friends”, this year’s top morning cable news program. In the 8 a.m. ET hour leading up to the Blue Origin launch, FNC drew 1.46 million total viewers and 221,000 in the 25-54 demo, topping both MSNBC (1.03 million viewers/145,000 adults 25-54) and CNN (665,000 viewers/115,000 adults 25-54), according to Nielsen Media Research.
Upon the rocket launch and subsequent landing within the 9-10 a.m. hour, Fox News Channel was once again on top, delivering 1.89 million total viewers and 272,000 in the 25-54 demo during their “America’s Newsroom” slot. CNN perked up to the runner-up cable position with 1.18 million viewers and 243,000 adults 25-54, passing MSNBC (1.07 million viewers/128,000 adults 25-54).
FNC had double and triple digit percent advantages over CNN and MSNBC in both viewers and demo.
It was the second space trip by a billionaire passenger within a ten-day span; Virgin’s Richard Branson made his venture in to space back on July 11.
On the following evening (July 21), CNN hosted a town hall event with President Joe Biden, which took place at the six-month mark of his presidency. Moderated by Don Lemon from Cincinnati, Ohio, Biden addressed the concerns of the spread of conspiracy theories and disinformation when it comes to the handling of the pandemic. In a subtle reference to Fox News, he stated, “One of those other networks is not a big fan of mine… but if you notice, as they say in the southern part of my state, they’ve had an altar call, some of those guys. All of a sudden they’re out there saying, ‘Let’s get vaccinated. Let’s get vaccinated.’ The very people who before this were saying… but that.“
The 80-minute town hall posted 1.563 million viewers and 343,000 in the 25-54 demo, making it CNN’s most-watched program since their live July 4th music and fireworks special.
Meanwhile, airing on Fox News Channel directly opposite the event was one of Biden’s and the vaccine’s major detractors, host Tucker Carlson. His program that night outdrew the town hall: 2.87 million viewers and 491,000 adults 25-54.
Here are the cable news averages for July 19-25, 2021 — Fox News Channel extended their streak to 23 weeks being cable’s top network in total viewers based on total day data.
Total Day (July 19-25 @ 6 a.m.-5:59 a.m.)
- Fox News Channel: 1.192 million viewers; 201,000 adults 25-54
- MSNBC: 0.737 million viewers; 104,000 adults 25-54
- CNN: 0.548 million viewers; 114,000 adults 25-54
Top 10 most-watched cable news programs (and the top MSNBC and CNN programs with their respective associated ranks) in total viewers:
1. Tucker Carlson Tonight (FOXNC, Tue. 7/20/2021 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 3.108 million viewers
2. Tucker Carlson Tonight (FOXNC, Mon. 7/19/2021 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 3.073 million viewers
3. Tucker Carlson Tonight (FOXNC, Wed. 7/21/2021 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 2.870 million viewers
4. Tucker Carlson Tonight (FOXNC, Thu. 7/22/2021 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 2.822 million viewers
5. Hannity (FOXNC, Tue. 7/20/2021 9:00 PM, 60 min.) 2.786 million viewers
6. The Five (FOXNC, Tue. 7/20/2021 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 2.631 million viewers
7. The Five (FOXNC, Mon. 7/19/2021 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 2.628 million viewers
8. Hannity (FOXNC, Thu. 7/22/2021 9:00 PM, 60 min.) 2.593 million viewers
9. Hannity (FOXNC, Mon. 7/19/2021 9:00 PM, 60 min.) 2.582 million viewers
10. The Five (FOXNC, Wed. 7/21/2021 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 2.572 million viewers
13. Rachel Maddow Show (MSNBC, Thu. 7/22/2021 9:00 PM, 60 min.) 2.452 million viewers
37. CNN Pres Town Hall “Joe Biden 7/21/21” (CNN, Wed. 7/21/2021 8:00 PM, 80 min.) 1.563 million viewers
Top 10 cable news programs (and the top MSNBC, CNN, CNBC and HLN programs with their respective associated ranks) among adults 25-54:
1. Tucker Carlson Tonight (FOXNC, Mon. 7/19/2021 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.536 million adults 25-54
2. Tucker Carlson Tonight (FOXNC, Thu. 7/22/2021 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.524 million adults 25-54
3. Tucker Carlson Tonight (FOXNC, Tue. 7/20/2021 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.510 million adults 25-54
4. Tucker Carlson Tonight (FOXNC, Wed. 7/21/2021 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.491 million adults 25-54
5. Hannity (FOXNC, Thu. 7/22/2021 9:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.463 million adults 25-54
6. Hannity (FOXNC, Wed. 7/21/2021 9:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.425 million adults 25-54
7. Hannity (FOXNC, Tue. 7/20/2021 9:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.404 million adults 25-54
8. Hannity (FOXNC, Mon. 7/19/2021 9:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.396 million adults 25-54
9. The Ingraham Angle (FOXNC, Thu. 7/22/2021 10:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.388 million adults 25-54
10. The Five (FOXNC, Thu. 7/22/2021 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.374 million adults 25-54
13. Rachel Maddow Show (MSNBC, Tue. 7/20/2021 9:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.354 million adults 25-54
17. CNN Pres Town Hall “Joe Biden 7/21/21” (CNN, Wed. 7/21/2021 8:00 PM, 80 min.) 0.343 million adults 25-54
114. Summer Olympic Prime (CNBC, Sat. 7/24/2021 8:00 PM, 240 min.) 0.185 million adults 25-54
128. Forensic Files II “Ten Of Hearts” (HLN, Tue. 7/20/2021 1:30 AM, 30 min.) 0.177 million adults 25-54
Source: Live+Same Day data, Nielsen Media Research
