News coverage during this period featured several historical events, including both political conventions, President Joe Biden ending his presidential campaign, and the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump. 

“For the third quarter of 2024, more viewers turned to FNC than any other cable news network for historic political news, including the ABC presidential debate simulcast, Republican and Democratic National Conventions, the assassination attempts against former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden dropping out of the 2024 presidential election,” read a press release. 

Coverage of these historical moments resulted in several ratings milestones for the cable news network. It led during “breaking news coverage” of Biden dropping out as “2.1 million viewers and 336,000 in [demo] 25-54” watched Fox News Channel regarding Biden’s decision. Its simulcast of ABC’s presidential debate on Sept. 10 between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris had higher ratings than cable news and legacy networks NBC and CBS. 

Fox’s coverage of the Republican National Convention was the “highest-rated prime-time convention coverage of all time,” according to the press release. And, the network’s coverage of the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, was “its highest-rated weekend ever, delivering 6.9 million viewers and 1.4 million in the 25-54 demo.”

Fox News Channel’s prime-time lineup in the third quarter was of particular dominance. According to the press release, The Ingraham Angle was watched by more viewers in the 7 p.m. timeslot than any other cable news network. Jesse Watters Prime-time was the highest-rated program at 8 p.m., and Hannity was the highest-rated program at 9 p.m. in the much-coveted demographic of viewers between the ages of 25 and 54. 

Gutfeld!, which airs daily at 10 p.m., “delivered its highest-rated quarter in program history with 2.8 million viewers and 413,000 in 25-54.” This included the Sept. 18 episode, which featured former President Donald Trump as one of the show’s panelists, drew nearly 5 million viewers, and was “its highest-rated telecast in program history.”

Furthermore, the network’s dominance in the quarter extended to programs around the clock, starting in the morning with FOX & Friends, which was “cable news’ most-watched morning show.” FOX News @ Night, which airs at 11 p.m., was the “most-watched program in its timeslot.”