# Cable News Ratings Drop in Q3 2026

> Fox News leads cable news ratings despite double-digit declines in viewership for Q3 2026.
- Title: Cable News Ratings Drop in Q3 2026 · Adweek | Shortify
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: fox news, ms now, cnn, cable news, q3 2026, viewership, adults 25-54, Cable, News, Ratings, Drop, 2026
- Source: Adweek — https://adweek.com/tvnewser/here-are-the-3rd-quarter-of-2026-cable-news-ratings
- Author: Mark Mwachiro
- Published: 2026-10-06T14:45:10+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: fox news, ms now, cnn, cable news, q3 2026, viewership, adults 25-54
## 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.
## Key takeaway

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.