National News focuses on events, issues and developments that have national implications. This includes politics, the economy and major disasters. This type of reporting is distinct from local news, which focuses on stories relevant to a particular region or community.
Q1 2025 was a volatile time in the news. A polarizing president ascended to power, wildfires ravaged California and deadly aircraft tragedies took place across the country. This was all in addition to the lingering effects of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans and other parts of Louisiana.
Regardless of the political climate, cable news outlets were able to captivate audiences this quarter. Fox News retained its position as the most-watched network in both primetime and total day. NBC and ABC ranked behind FNC in both categories.
A key factor in FNC’s strong performance was The Five, which averaged 4.552 million viewers and led the hour in total viewers. Other programs to watch included The Kelly File (5.152 million), Justice with Rachel Maddow (1.919 million) and MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show (3.082 million).
Another notable story was the case of a woman who followed her mother’s wishes and did not want to be resuscitated after a cardiac arrest. The story made headlines as it prompted many people to examine their own end-of-life decisions.
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