- Fox News (FOX -0.6%, FOXA -0.2%) sits again in a familiar spot, atop the prime-time ratings for cable networks.
- The network -- despite being buffeted by the sexual harassment scandal enveloping its former chief, Roger Ailes -- drew 2.1M viewers on average during the first week of the fall season, well outpacing HGTV (SNI +0.2%) at No. 2, with 1.5M viewers.
- ESPN (DIS -0.1%) and USA Network (NASDAQ:CMCSA) tied for third place with 1.4M viewers.
- On a full-day basis (usually the stomping grounds of children's programming), Fox News also led, ahead of Nickelodeon (VIA +2.6%, VIAB +2.5%) and Adult Swim (TWX +0.4%) among others.
- In individual programming for the week, an episode of Hannity on Fox News topped the charts with 5.2M viewers, ahead of Rizzoli and Isles on TNT (NYSE:TWX) and Saturday college football on ESPN.