As we’ve been telling you throughout the week, ten years ago, Fox News Channel passed its competition to become the most watched cable news network. Having surpassed CNN in January 2002, Fox News has now reigned over the cable news universe for an entire decade while continuing to outpace both CNN and MSNBC combined in total viewership, according to Nielsen Media Research.
To mark the occasion, on Tuesday Fox News Channel took its success to the heart of New York City in what can only be called a Times Square takeover. Host of Fox News’ On the Record Greta Van Susteren, along with Fox Business Network’s Lou Dobbs, Liz Claman, Lori Rothman, and Melissa Francis rang the opening bell at the NASDAQ; simultaneously, screens across Times Square lit up in celebration.
Van Susteren commented on the excitement of being in the middle of Manhattan to mark the milestone. “It’s exciting for Fox News Channel – ten years at being number one. Nobody thought they could do it, and they did it quite handsomely in the past ten years.”
Not only did the channel surpass all its competition, but they accomplished it in part by adhering to a winning formula.
“One of the most interesting things about Fox News that people probably don’t realize is that I’m the new person at Fox,” she said, “and I’ve been there ten years. That shows the lineup hasn’t changed in primetime in ten years. That truly is extraordinary.”
Ten years since becoming number one, Fox News has sustained a 147% advantage over CNN and a 144% advantage over MSNBC in Total Day viewership. Meanwhile, in Primetime, Fox News has surpassed CNN by 131% in total viewers while overtaking MSNBC by 142% in total viewers according to the Nielsen averages for January 2012.
The newest addition to the Fox family is sister network Fox Business, which continues to grow its reach by following what fresh talent like Melissa Francis said is Fox News’ stellar example.
“I think [Fox News Channel] blazed a winning trail, and it’s great to follow in their footsteps and know what’s possible,” said Francis. “Others doubted them in the beginning, and now look at how long they’ve been number one. It’s exciting to be a part of another phase of the Fox history as it really gains momentum.”
As for the secret to Fox News Channel’s success, Van Susteren said the answer is simple: good leadership. “People are happy to be there; people want to be there,” she said. “There’s not an attitude of ‘no’ at Fox. If you have a good idea, the attitude is, let’s try it.”
According to FBN’s Lou Dobbs, the celebratory bell-ringing at NASDAQ was the perfect way to honor Fox’s unparalleled achievement in ratings. “It’s the marketplace where, again, Fox News Channel has set the gold standard. It’s an inexplicable, extraordinary achievement where everyone at Fox News Channel has every reason to be so proud … but in terms of broader media, it’s just an unheard of achievement.”
Our cameras have been along for the entire ride, documenting everything. Take an all-access look at Tuesday’s event through our behind-the-scenes slideshow.
Also – Fox News Channel wants to thank you, the viewers, for making us number one for ten straight years. In order to keep the conversation going, send us a Tweet with #foxnews10at1. Here’s to ten more years on top!
