Fox Business beats CNBC in prime time with key audience

Fox Business Network beat rival CNBC in viewers in the key 25- to 54-year-old demographic during the primetime hours on Friday, according to Nielsen data.

It’s the first time this year that the eight-year-old network has bested its rival during that time in that demographic.

From 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., Fox Business Network’s “After the Bell” had 24,000 viewers in the 25-54 demographic, while CNBC’s “Closing Bell had 21,000.

In the 5 o’clock hour, “Risk and Reward with Dierdre Bolton” on Fox Business Network had 19,000 viewers in the demographic compared to 14,000 viewers for CNBC’s “Fast Money.”

“Making Money with Charles Payne” on Fox Business had 19,000 viewers compared to Jim Cramer’s “Mad Money” with12,000 viewers in the demographic during the 6 p.m. time slot.

And “Lou Dobbs Tonight,” which airs at 7 p.m. on Fox Business, had 25,000 viewers in the demographic compared to 16,000 for “American Greed on CNBC. Dobbs’ show outperformed CNBC’s shows during the 7 p.m. time slot in the 25 to 54 demographic the entire week.

CNBC has long argued that Nielsen doesn’t accurately measure its audience because many of its viewers are watching at the audience.