Hold onto your hats, because the news landscape just got a major shake-up! Fox News Digital has dethroned traditional giants like ABC, NBC, and CBS, claiming the top spot in the third quarter of 2025 with a staggering 94.1 million unique visitors. But here's where it gets controversial: is this a sign of shifting media preferences, or a temporary blip in the ever-evolving news cycle? Let’s dive in.
For the first time ever, Fox News Digital dominated across key metrics, proving its growing influence in the digital age. With 94.1 million unique visitors across desktop and mobile platforms, it outpaced long-standing competitors like ABC News, NBC News, and CBS News. But this isn’t just about numbers—it’s about trust. Americans are increasingly turning to Fox News Digital for vital information and analysis, a trend that raises questions about the future of traditional news outlets.
And this is the part most people miss: Fox News Digital didn’t just win in one category—it swept the board. It secured the No. 1 position for multiplatform minutes (11.4 billion) and multiplatform views (5.6 billion), marking its 18th consecutive quarter leading in minutes and 13th in views. Meanwhile, CNN saw a dramatic decline, losing 44% of its multiplatform views and 54% of its minutes compared to the same quarter in 2024. Is this the beginning of the end for CNN’s dominance, or just a temporary setback?
On YouTube, Fox News continued its reign with 1.1 billion video views, outperforming MSNBC by over 200 million views and surpassing the combined totals of NBC, ABC, and CBS. This marks the fourth consecutive quarter Fox News has led in YouTube views, a testament to its digital strategy. But here’s a thought-provoking question: Are viewers flocking to Fox News for its content, or is it the platform’s ability to engage audiences that’s making the difference?
Social media engagement tells a similar story. Fox News drove 506 million interactions across Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok, its best quarter ever. On TikTok alone, it saw a 75% increase in engagements compared to the previous quarter. But with such dominance, should we be concerned about media diversity, or is this simply a reflection of audience preferences?
Closing out September, Fox News Digital maintained its lead with 3.9 billion multiplatform minutes, a 22% increase year-over-year. In contrast, The New York Times saw a 24% drop, and CNN plummeted by 44%. When it comes to multiplatform views, Fox News grew by 11%, while CNN lost 34%. Is this a trend that will continue, or will other outlets find a way to reclaim their audience?
One interesting detail: Fox News Digital trailed closely behind CBS News in total multiplatform unique visitors, with 168 million—the smallest gap since February 2024. This suggests that while Fox News is leading, the competition isn’t far behind. Could CBS News be the next to challenge Fox’s dominance?
As we reflect on these numbers, it’s clear that Fox News Digital is reshaping the media landscape. But what does this mean for the future of news? Are we moving toward a more polarized media environment, or is this just the natural evolution of digital consumption? We’d love to hear your thoughts—agree or disagree, let’s start the conversation in the comments below!