Ever wonder why that bright yellow "Fox & Friends" logo seems to be everywhere when you're grabbing coffee at a diner or waiting at the airport? Honestly, it’s because the show is a juggernaut. Even with everyone switching to Netflix and TikTok, this morning staple is still crushing the competition.
In 2025, the show pulled in an average of 1.4 million viewers. That’s its 25th year at the top. Think about that for a second. In TV years, that’s basically forever. While other shows are losing people left and right, the "curvy couch" crowd is staying put.
Kinda wild, right?
What’s Actually Happening with Fox & Friends Ratings
The news business is weird right now. Usually, after a big election like 2024, everyone stops watching the news because they're tired of the drama. But 2025 was different for Fox. They actually saw their ratings go up by 16% in total day viewership compared to the year before.
People aren't just watching when things are on fire; they've made it a habit.
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You’ve got the main crew—Brian Kilmeade, Ainsley Earhardt, and Lawrence Jones. Steve Doocy moved over to special projects in early 2025, but the chemistry hasn't skipped a beat. Lawrence Jones, who started as a roving reporter, has really stepped into that lead role, bringing a younger energy that seems to be working.
The Numbers Game (Simplified)
If you look at the Nielsen data from late 2025 and early 2026, the gap between Fox and its rivals is more like a canyon.
- Fox & Friends: 1.4 million viewers
- MS NOW (formerly MSNBC): Struggling around 550,000 viewers for the total day average.
- CNN: Dipping to historic lows, often under 450,000.
Basically, Fox is getting more viewers than CNN and MS NOW combined. Sometimes they even beat the big broadcast guys like CBS Mornings in major cities like New York and Chicago. That’s a huge deal because broadcast TV is supposed to be "free" and available to everyone, yet a cable show is taking their lunch money.
Why Do People Keep Tuning In?
It's not just about the politics. It’s the vibe. The show feels like a group of friends (hence the name) just hanging out. They talk about grilling, country music, and faith, alongside the heavy political stuff.
For a lot of people in "Middle America," this feels more like home than the stuffier news desks in Midtown Manhattan.
And they are super fast. When the ICE shooting happened in Minneapolis or the military tension started in Venezuela in early 2026, Fox & Friends was already live while other networks were still running pre-recorded segments. That "live and local" feel keeps people coming back.
The Secret Sauce: Fox & Friends First
We can't ignore the early birds. Fox & Friends First, which starts at 5 AM ET, is its own little powerhouse. It averaged about 613,000 viewers in 2025.
Most people are still hitting snooze, but over half a million people are already locked in. This acts as a "lead-in." If you start your morning with the 5 AM crew, you’re probably going to leave the TV on for the main show at 6 AM. It’s a smart strategy that keeps the ratings high all morning long.
The Digital Shift
Here is something most people get wrong: they think cable is dying, so Fox must be dying too. Nope.
Fox News Digital had its best year ever in 2025. They’re getting billions of views on YouTube. They realized that if you aren't on your phone, you aren't relevant. By clipping the best moments from the morning show and putting them on social media, they’re reaching people who don't even own a TV.
What This Means for You
If you're an advertiser or just someone trying to understand the American mood, these ratings are a blueprint.
- Audience Loyalty: The Fox audience doesn't "channel hop." They stay.
- Market Dominance: In 2026, the midterms are coming up. Because Fox has the biggest morning platform, they're going to set the agenda for what people are talking about at the water cooler.
- The "Vibe" Wins: People want connection. The hosts share stories about their kids and their lives, which builds a level of trust that a teleprompter-reading robot just can't match.
Looking Ahead
As we move deeper into 2026, keep an eye on the weekend crew. Griff Jenkins just joined Rachel Campos-Duffy and Charles Hurt on the weekend edition. They’re already pulling in 1.2 million viewers on Saturdays.
The strategy is clear: dominate the morning, every single day, on every single platform.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, don't just look at the headlines—look at what people are watching while they eat their cereal. That's where the real influence lives. Check your local listings to see how the morning landscape is shifting in your specific city, as Fox continues to outpace broadcast networks in local markets.