Fox News has continued to thrive, even after settling a $787.5-million lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems over false claims made about the 2020 election. Despite the significant payout, the network’s ratings have not suffered, with Fox News Channel averaging 2.63 million viewers in weekday prime time for the second quarter of 2025, a 56% increase from the same period in 2023, according to Nielsen.
Defying Expectations
The conservative network’s ability to maintain its audience and even grow its viewership has been a surprise to many, given the controversy surrounding its coverage of the 2020 election. Fox News declined to make anyone available to speak for this story, but the network’s top personalities continue to support former President Donald Trump, who has filled his administration with former Fox stars.
The White House has also turned to Fox to make news, with Trump recently sitting down with Sean Hannity after meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This close relationship between Fox and the Trump administration has raised questions about the network’s independence and willingness to critically cover the president and his policies.
Audience Loyalty
Despite the criticism, Fox’s audience remains loyal, with many viewers tuning in for the network’s opinion-driven programming and news coverage. The network’s ability to generate new stars and adapt to changing viewer preferences has also helped it maintain its dominance in the cable news market.
According to Tim Graham, director of media analysis at the conservative Media Research Center, “Fox’s audience didn’t really look at that verdict and say, ‘oh, I can’t watch them anymore.’ I think Fox’s audience looked at that and said, ‘oh, the left is coming after them.'” This perception of Fox as a target of liberal criticism has helped the network maintain its audience and even attract new viewers.
Financial Performance
Fox’s financial performance has also been strong, with the network expected to make half a billion dollars on non-TV products like books, podcasts, and streaming, according to Axios. The network’s ability to absorb the cost of the Dominion settlement and continue to generate revenue has helped it maintain its position as a leading cable news network.
In contrast, other cable news networks, such as MSNBC and CNN, have seen their viewership decline in recent years. MSNBC’s prime-time audience was down 21% in two years, while CNN’s viewership was down 6%, according to Nielsen.
Newsmax and Antitrust Allegations
Meanwhile, Newsmax, a rival conservative network, has alleged that Fox has engaged in anticompetitive behavior, including trying to block television distributors from carrying its rival and pressuring guests not to appear on the network. Fox has denied these allegations, saying that Newsmax is trying to “sue their way out of their own competitive failures in the marketplace.”
The ongoing controversy surrounding Fox’s coverage of the 2020 election and its relationships with other networks and the Trump administration will likely continue to be a topic of discussion in the media and among viewers. For more information, visit Here
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