International TV networks such as CNN and Fox News have seen massive viewership hikes in the coverage of the Malaysian Airlines crash in Ukraine, during prime-time hours. The plane, which was travelling from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on Thursday 17 July, is believed to have been shot down by Russian-backed separatists using a surface-to-air missile.
Ratings indicate that the Fox News Channel received a viewership of over 3m between 20h00 and 23h00, with The Kelly File and Hannity receiving 3.18m and 2.58m viewers respectively.
Viewing stats from Wednesday 16 July to Thursday 17 July on FNC saw a 32% increase, while MSNBC experienced an increase of 21% and CNN saw and increase from 352,000 to 1.2m total viewers.
