From Adweek · Mark Mwachiro · · 2m
Cable News Ratings Drop in Q3 2026
Fox News leads cable news ratings despite double-digit declines in viewership for Q3 2026.
In brief
Fox News leads cable news ratings despite double-digit declines in viewership for Q3 2026. Fox News remains the most-watched cable network in Q3 2026 with 2.064 million primetime viewers, though it saw double-digit declines in total viewers and Adults 25-54 demo. Originally reported by Adweek.
Q3 2026 Cable News Ratings
The summer period was not kind to all cable news networks as hot weather combined with slow news led to quarter-to-quarter declines in total viewers and Adults 25-54 demo.
Fox News Ratings
Fox News averaged 2.064 million total primetime viewers and 183,000 Adults 25-54 viewers in Q3 2026, down -17% in total viewers and -20% in the demo compared to Q2.
MS NOW Ratings
MS NOW averaged 933,000 total primetime viewers and 84,000 Adults 25-54 viewers in Q3 2026, down -12% in total viewers and -21% in the demo compared to Q2.
CNN Ratings
CNN averaged 608,000 total primetime viewers and 101,000 Adults 25-54 viewers in Q3 2026, down -14% in total viewers and -16% in the demo compared to Q2.
Fox News Leads
Fox News remained the most-watched cable network during primetime in total viewers and ranked No. 2 in the Adults 25-54 demo, with 2.064 million viewers.
MS NOW Gains
MS NOW was up +16% in total viewers and +27% in the demo during primetime compared to Q3 2025, making it the only network with gains in both dayparts.
CNN Gains
CNN saw gains in total viewers and the demo compared to Q3 2025, with +13% in total viewers and +16% in the demo during primetime.
Top Programs
Fox News' The Five averaged 3.146 million total viewers at 5 p.m. ET, while MS NOW's The Rachel Maddow Show averaged 1.915 million viewers.
Q3 2026 Ratings Summary
Fox News leads cable news ratings in Q3 2026 with 2.064 million primetime viewers, though it saw double-digit declines in total viewers and Adults 25-54 demo.
The big picture
Fox News remains the most-watched cable network in Q3 2026 with 2.064 million primetime viewers, though it saw double-digit declines in total viewers and Adults 25-54 demo.
