Fox News’ summer replacement for Glenn Beck stretches into fall

When Fox News replaced Glenn Beck, the outspoken, highly-rated host of its 5 p.m. hour, with "The Five" and its roving panel of lesser-known personalities, the move was intended to be temporary: a summer replacement until a permanent host or show was identified.

But it is now fall, and "The Five" is still on the air. Since its debut in July, "The Five" has become the sixth most-watched show on cable news during the third quarter. (Fox News broadcasts the top 12 shows, followed by HLN's Nancy Grace at No. 13.) "The Five" has seen a 17 percent jump in viewers between 25 and 54 (325,000 in September, 278,000 in July, per Nielsen), and nearly a 10 percent increase in total viewers (1,399,000 in September versus 1,287,000 in July).

The show's regulars include Greg Gutfeld, Eric Bolling, Judge Andrew Napolitano (who was a frequent Beck-guest-host), Kimberly Guilfoyle and Monica Crowley.

Among the 25-to-54 set coveted by advertisers, "The Five" ranked eighth, followed by Grace.

Fox News executives are said to be pleased with how much of Beck's audience the roundtable show has managed to retain. Beck averaged 1.6 million total viewers in June, its last full month on the air. "The Five" was watched by 1.4 million, according to Nielsen.