Tucker Carlson's record-breaking run

Joe Rogan cashed in for $100 million in 2020, but no one in media has elevated their status like Tucker Carlson.

At 5.4 million viewers, Carlson has broken the record for the highest-rated cable news show ever. Tucker Carlson Tonight is also the first primetime cable news program since September 2008 to average one million viewers in the coveted 25-54 demographic.

Carlson's success is fascinating. He emerged as a top star on TV by hosting a cable news show that is not built around the president. Instead, Carlson focuses on the country's leading social issues: Black Lives Matter, racial issues, nationwide riots, and the media.

"It is all such a lie,” Carlson responded to the media's reaction to indictments in the Breonna Taylor case. “It is a demonstrable lie. Statistics don’t back it up. The experience of your life, no matter what color you are, doesn’t back it up.”

Carlson appeals to so many because his perspective on social and racial issues likely reflects the opinions of many Americans. However, many cable news channels and news hosts fear being canceled or labeled a racist, so they often ignore this side of the conversation.

In real life, Carlson's views are reasonable. On Twitter and in the media, they are deemed demonic.

This doesn't mean Carlson is always right or that a liberal like Rachel Maddow is always wrong. It means Americans are divided, and viewers on both sides deserve representation.

Carlson's record-month doesn't take away from Sean Hannity or even prove he is No. 1.

Nightly, Carlson and Hannity battle for first and are separated by a minimal number of viewers. In October, Hannity also averaged over 5 million viewers, outperforming popular broadcast TV programs The Bachelorette, The Conners, Celebrity, and Family Feud.

This year, Hannity has won the first and third quarter ratings — 4.5 million tuned in during the third quarter, setting an all-time record — while Carlson won the second and is favored to win the final.

Neither Carlson nor Hannity has replaced the stardom that Bill O'Reilly enjoyed for decades. Perhaps O'Reilly would top both of them if he were still on Fox News. I think he would. But O'Reilly hasn't worked at Fox News for years, leaving Carlson and Hannity, in whatever order, to claim the top two spots.

Shep Smith

October Ratings Breakdown: Tucker Carlson Breaks Records, Shep Smith's Rough Start