Fox News host Harris Faulkner got some fantastic news and it is likely to have liberal heads exploding.
For the first time, her Fox News show, “The Faulkner Focus,” drew more viewers this week than the ABC daytime left-wing gabfest “The View,” Forbes reported.
“Heartfelt gratitude to the beloved viewers of FOX and Faulkner Focus. And big thanks to Forbes for showing our 11am ET daytime team some love,” the Fox News host said on X.
It is more impressive when you consider that “The View” is available to a much wider audience since it is on broadcast TV, but Faulkner’s program is only available to cable subscribers and, as more and more people “cut the cord,” the potential audience is getting smaller.
Heartfelt gratitude to the beloved viewers of FOX and @FaulknerFocus. And big thanks to @forbes for showing our 11am ET daytime team some love: Harris Faulkner Beats ‘The View’ As Fox News Sets Ratings Record. 🙏🥰 https://t.co/vaL1JTOGoC
— HARRISFAULKNER (@HARRISFAULKNER) January 31, 2025
“I could not grab this big win without my wonderful team,” Faulkner told Forbes. “It’s a testament to the hard work and passion we put into bringing Americans the latest news and analysis on what matters most to them. The Faulkner Focus is a place where audiences can tune in and know their questions about the day’s headlines will be answered with respect for all sides, and we are proud viewers continue to choose us at 11 a.m.”
Fox News also had its best month ever as its primetime shows averaged an audience of 2.8 million with an average of 353,000 viewers in the key demographic of adults 25-54 that is most coveted by advertisers.
“As we mark 23 years as America’s most-watched cable news network, I would like to thank our incredible team both on and off the camera for their dedication to delivering the best product in news,” Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott said. “Each year, we surpass new milestones, continue to innovate, and outperform the competition due to their tireless efforts and I could not be prouder.”
Other networks have not been having the same success.
In what senior executives are calling an attempt to modernize their business model, CNN and NBC are planning to lay off hundreds of staffers, though for the time being, the cuts will not extend to on-air talent.
CNN CEO Mark Thompson announced that job cuts were coming in a memo to staff on Thursday, confirming CNBC’s report from Wednesday about the upcoming reductions. In the memo, Thompson stated that CNN does not anticipate a significant decrease in total staff this year, as the company plans to invest $70 million in new digital initiatives.
“I know that whatever the total number of job losses, the impact on the individuals involved can be immense,” Thompson wrote in the memo, obtained by CNBC. “The process of change is essential if we’re to thrive in the future, but I both acknowledge and regret its very real human consequences.”
In all, the cable broadcaster is planning staff reductions of about 6 percent, or somewhere in the neighborhood of 210 job cuts.
The layoffs come as CNN restructures its linear TV programming as well and focuses on expanding its digital subscription offerings. The cuts are intended to reduce production costs and streamline operations, according to sources familiar with the situation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal decisions. Some shows produced in New York or Washington may be relocated to Atlanta, where production costs are lower, the sources added.
The job cuts are not expected to impact CNN’s high-profile on-air talent, who are under contract, the sources said. CNN currently employs approximately 3,500 people globally, CNBC reported.
CNN has announced several new initiatives in a memo to staff. The company is developing a new method for digital subscribers to stream CNN content outside of CNN Max, which is part of Warner Bros. Discovery’s larger Max streaming service.
