The memorial service for slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk drew at least 20 million viewers who tuned in on cable as well as via online streaming — generating an audience that eclipsed the massive in-person turnout in Glendale, Ariz.
Verified figures from YouTube and X show 7.49 million views on Kirk’s own channel, 3.8 million impressions on his account on X, 2.43 million views on Fox News’ YouTube livestream and 1.26 million on the Associated Press’ YouTube feed as of Monday.
That subtotal, tallied from just four outlets, does not include dozens of additional simulcasts on Rumble, Facebook and Twitch, nor replays that continue to climb.
Early Nielsen data add another 5.37 million average viewers on cable between 1:30–7:15 p.m. ET.
The Fox News Channel attracted the largest audience among cable news networks — 4.792 million viewers.
CNN, the Warner Bros. Discovery-owned outfit, came in second place with 330,000 total viewers while Comcast’s left-leaning network MSNBC finished third with 251,000 viewers.
FNC peaked near 6 million viewers during Erika Kirk’s remarks in the 6 p.m. ET hour.
In the advertiser-coveted 25-54 age demographic, Fox News came out on top, drawing 687,000 viewers in the nearly six-hour block.
CNN drew 48,000 viewers in the 25-54 demographic while MSNBC managed 21,000 viewers.
The Post is owned by News Corp — sister company to Fox News’ parent Fox Corp.
Turning Point USA, the organization Kirk founded, claimed worldwide livestream totals exceeded 100 million, though that figure could not be independently verified.
The Glendale memorial, held at State Farm Stadium, ran more than five hours and featured tributes, worship music and a eulogy from President Trump.
Police estimated the live audience reached up to 100,000 across the stadium, an overflow arena and outdoor viewing areas, but online viewership dwarfed that number.
Earlier this month, coverage of Kirk’s killing boosted cable news primetime averages by more than 60%, suggesting millions more may have tuned in.
