In fact, for the first time since the 2008 elections, FNC actually beat the popular entertainment channel USA.
As reported by TVBytheNumbers.com moments ago:
More Haiti earthquake coverage, and the special election in Massachusetts boosted Fox News into the top position for average primetime cable viewership, finishing ahead of the typical “non-sports” leader USA. Fox News also topped USA in the total day average viewership, but both finished behind the top trio of kids networks. CNN fell back from its position last week, moving down to #23 in primetime viewership, while MSNBC was #27 and Headline News was #38 for the week.
According to TVNewser, this was the first time FNC achieved this feat since the week of the 2008 elections.
For those interested, here are the complete rankings:
Prime-time Average Viewers (Live+SD) Week of January 18-25, 2010
Network (000s)
FOXN 3,213
USA 3,194
DSNY 2,475
NAN 2,236
TNT 1,979
A&E 1,845
LIFE 1,729
TBSC 1,597
HIST 1,541
FAM 1,442
HGTV 1,385
FX 1,329
TOON 1,326
ESPN 1,301
TRU 1,299
DISC 1,241
FOOD 1,204
SYFY 1,163
TLC 1,141
MTV 1,140
AMC 1,030
HALL 986
CNN 980
SPK 966
NKJR 812
Can't you just hear the carping and whining in newsrooms from coast to coast?
