Few TV networks have been able to boast the ratings figures Fox News has in 2025. A key part of that growth has been the success of its morning show, FOX & Friends.
The morning show — featuring Ainsley Earhardt, Lawrence Jones, Brian Kilmeade, and Steve Doocy — has seen a 26% increase in total viewers in 2025. Thus far, the morning show has averaged just over 1.6 million viewers each day.
Additionally, the program has seen a nearly 20% increase in the coveted Adults 25-54 demographic.
FOX & Friends has seen its morning show hit double-digit growth as others have slumped in the daypart. For instance, CBS Mornings has seen a 10% decrease in total viewership, with the Fox News morning show now approaching the numbers put up by the CBS show, which is averaging 1.9 million viewers each morning.
Megan Albano, the Executive Vice President of Morning Programming and Program Development at Fox News, says there are key differences that separate FOX & Friends from its competitors.
“At FOX & Friends, we set ourselves apart by doing more than just delivering the news — we both inform and entertain,” Albano said. “Every morning, our viewers turn to us to get the information they need to start their day, but they also know they’ll find laughs, lighthearted moments, and a positive start. We pride ourselves on being deeply in tune with our audience. We know the stories that matter most to them, and we keep those front and center in our decision-making process: ‘How does this impact your everyday life?’
Albano added that the show’s strategy is much more than just featuring the news each morning.
“We don’t just report the news — we talk about the issues that truly matter to people, approaching each segment in a way that’s relevant, relatable, and real to everyday Americans,” she shared, before noting that the show’s hosts — Earhardt, Jones, Kilmeade, and Doocy “genuinely care about our viewers and appreciate how special it is to be part of their daily routine.”
“We’re not distant anchors behind a desk — we’re just like our viewers, because we are our viewers,” said Albano. “We share their concerns, their joys, and their curiosity about the world. That’s what makes our show stand out–authentic connection, a wide range of coverage, and a commitment to putting our audience at the heart of every story we tell.
“Our goal is simple: to bring a little light to the morning rush, whether that’s while you’re getting ready for work, making breakfast for the kids, or getting dressed.”
To see the strategy behind both reporting and discussing the news each morning has been “incredibly rewarding”, Albano admitted.
“We have an amazing team that works tirelessly every single day to put this show on. We are staffed 7 days a week and around the clock. There isn’t a time in the day that someone isn’t here working on FOX & Friends,” she said. “Our producers are second to none, and that’s true across the board, from producers to the crews and of, course, our anchors.
“Seeing the ratings grow, new segments take off, and our social media imprint expand is quite gratifying. It’s all our hard work paying off. But what really matters is that our viewers see it and appreciate it as well. To see it not only resonate with viewers, but also build a deep and lasting connection with them. When people tell us they feel like they ‘know’ us, it’s the best thing you can hear.”
FOX & Friends hasn’t been shy in putting its anchors in the field. In addition to doing reports from local diners or barbershops, the show also recently introduced a new role for longtime host Steve Doocy. The 68-year-old Doocy has worked at Fox News since 1996. He began co-hosting FOX & Friends in 1998. He’s relocated to Florida and is now showcasing stories from around the nation for his contributions to the program.
The commitment to speaking to viewers and stepping outside the network’s New York studios has only added to the show’s growth.
“It allows us to connect with our audience on a deeper, more personal level,” Albano said of sending the show’s anchors on the road. “While the studio provides a controlled environment for delivering news, there’s no substitute for being on the ground — seeing the story, feeling the atmosphere, and hearing directly from the people impacted. This country is filled with incredible people, as we’ve seen in our new Main Street USA series, people who care deeply about their families, the country, the future generations. Getting outside the studio enables us to meet viewers where they are, to listen to their concerns firsthand.
This face-to-face engagement not only builds trust and authenticity, it ensures that our coverage reflects real voices and real experiences–not just headlines. These types of segments are always our highest-rated.”
In spite of the ratings success and nipping at the heels of its broadcast competitors, FOX & Friends isn’t resting on its laurels. It’s looking to the future to see where it can innovate and increase impact.
“We want to keep growing the show and connecting with new audiences, all while staying true to what makes us, us,” Albano concluded. “That means trying fresh ideas, telling stories in new ways, and meeting people wherever they are — whether that’s on TV, on their phones, or out in the community. We are always looking to expand our viewership, and with that comes finding different ways to bring in new voices, explore what’s trending, and have conversations that really matter.
“In today’s fast-changing media landscape, adapting is essential — and we’re committed to continuing to evolve so we can reach and engage even more people.”
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Garrett Searight is Barrett Media’s News Editor, which includes writing daily news stories, features, and opinion columns. He joined Barrett Media in 2022 after a decade leading several radio brands in several formats, as well as a 5-year stint working in local television. In addition to his work with Barrett Media, he is a radio and TV play-by-play broadcaster. Reach out to him at Garrett@BarrettMedia.com.
