Fox Business Network beat arch-rival CNBC in business day viewership for the month of October, marking the first monthly win in the network’s history.
“Intelligence Report with Trish Regan” is a major reason why and the namesake host thinks Fox Business’ election coverage has a lot to do with the growth.
“People are finding us. We have a sweet spot in that we are focused, pretty much entirely, on this intersection of politics and the economy,” Regan told TheWrap. “This is the stuff that resonates right now with Americans.”
“Varney & Company,” “Intelligence Report,” “Countdown to Closing Bell with Liz Claman,” “After the Bell,” “Risk and Reward,” “Making Money with Charles Payne” and “Lou Dobbs Tonight” all had their most-watched months ever among total viewers in a historic time for the network. The common denominator is that the financial shows also touch on how the election will impact finances.
“Everywhere you go, people are talking about the election because it’s going to have a huge impact on their future,” Regan said. “It is very much about the economy. You see this frustration with many Americans and it’s very, very real. They feel as though the policies and the politicians have completely failed them.”
Regan agrees that Americans have been failed. She explained that over the last 20 years, wages have barely grown and we are increasingly a globalized economy.
“We’ve really run the risk of losing the foundation of who we are as a society — and that’s our middle class,” Regan said. “These are issues that are very big, very meaty and very complex. They’ve basically been the undercurrent of the entire election.”
Regan said Fox Business is “tackling these issues” in a way that none of its competitors are and the results are clear. FBN won the business day crown, averaging 170,000 total viewers. Compared to October 2015, Fox Biz grew by at least double digits in all dayparts while CNBC posted double-digit losses in every category. FBN grew 67 percent in business day and grew 110 percent in total day viewers.
“No one else has the commitment to covering the economy like we do,” Regan said. “There is no one else that comes close.”
The network will have additional opportunities to prove Regan’s theory, as it will feature live, weekday-style programming through the weekend prior to Election Day on Nov. 8. Regan will also host a primetime election special on Monday night and will contribute to the network’s Election Night coverage with Neil Cavuto on Tuesday as results come in.