Business networks saw significant viewership gains following President Donald Trump’s tariff announcement on April 2. CNBC and Fox Business both recorded notable audience spikes during the market turmoil.
CNBC’s website and app traffic jumped 83% over its first-quarter average.
Fox Business saw a 35% increase in audience compared to its 2024 average.
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The recent volatility in the stock market has proven to be a boon for business news networks. Viewership spiked last week on CNBC and Fox Business as investors tuned in to track the drop — and subsequent recovery — following President Donald Trump’s tariff announcement and temporary 90-day pause.
On April 2, Trump announced new tariffs, which sent global markets into a downward spiral for several days. The decline marked some of the worst numbers since the COVID-19 pandemic. However, while stocks plunged, television ratings climbed.
CNBC surge in viewership and digital traffic
According to Nielsen ratings reviewed by The New York Times, CNBC experienced a 36% increase in viewers during market hours from Wednesday to Friday, during the week of March 30. The network also reported a 40% rise in its full daytime lineup compared to recent weeks.
The boost extended beyond television. CNBC reported an 83% jump in traffic to its website and app compared to its first-quarter average. New subscriptions also rose 34% over the same period.
Fox Business also rides the wave
Fox Business experienced similar gains, according to Nielsen. The network’s audience grew by 25% compared to the week prior to Trump’s tariff announcement and was up 35% from last year’s average.
It is unclear how Fox Business performed digitally, as the network has not released website traffic numbers as of this reporting.
Ratings boost continues
The latest data suggests Americans are tuning in as market events unfold in real-time. The Trump administration’s first term led to increased viewership for traditional news outlets. Now, in the early days of Trump’s second term, his foreign policy decisions are again contributing to stronger ratings for business networks.
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