Here Are the 2nd Quarter of 2026 Cable News Ratings

Below are the cable news ratings for the second quarter of 2026.

A not-so-newsy period led to declines in total viewers and the Adults 25-54 demo for all three cable news networks during prime time and total day.

CNN saw the sharpest drop, with double-digit declines in both measured categories across the two observed dayparts.

Fox News saw its reign as the most-watched cable network continue, even with the presence of live sporting action from the NBA, NHL, and the FIFA World Cup. MS NOW finished second in total viewers, and CNN took the No. 2 spot in the demo.

Fox News Channel

According to Nielsen big data + panel, Fox News averaged 2.493 million total primetime viewers and 230,000 Adults 25-54 viewers in Q2 2026. During total day, Fox News had 1.575 million total viewers and 149,000 demo viewers.

Compared to the first quarter, Fox News was down -4% in total viewers and -13% in the demo during primetime. When looking at total day, it was also down by -8% and -13% in total viewers and the demo, respectively.

Looking at Fox News’ performance against the same quarter in 2025, total viewers were down -6%, and the demo was down -24% during primetime. In total day, it saw losses of -3% in total viewers and -26% in the demo. It was the only network in this yearly comparison to record declines.

Fox News finished the quarter in first place among all cable networks during primetime in total viewers and ranked No. 4 in the demo. During total day, Fox News was again on top in total viewers and finished in second place in the demo.

MS NOW

During Q2 2026, MS NOW averaged 1.063 million total primetime viewers and 107,000 primetime demo viewers. During total day, MS NOW had 655,000 total viewers and 67,000 A25-54 viewers.

When looking at MS NOW’s performance vs. the first quarter in 2026, it was down in total viewers and the demo by -4% and -6%, respectively, during primetime. During total day, the network was also down by -5% in total viewers and -7% in the demo.

Looking at its performance vs. the second quarter of 2025, MS NOW was up +5% in total viewers and +18% in the demo during primetime. It was also up +10% in total viewers and +18% in the demo during total day.

MS NOW remained in third place in total viewers and was tied with FX for 13th place in the demo. During total day, MS NOW continued to be in third place in total viewers and was 10th in the demo.

CNN

CNN averaged 711,000 total primetime viewers and 120,000 primetime demo viewers in Q2 2026. During total day, the network had 496,000 total viewers and 75,000 A25-54 viewers.

Compared with the first quarter, CNN saw drops of -11% in total viewers and -23% in the demo in primetime. Looking at how it performed during total day, it fell by -14% in total viewers and -26% in the demo.

When looking at its performance to the same quarter in 2025 during primetime, it was up by +32% in total viewers and +14% in the demo. In total day, CNN grew by +22% and +6% in total viewers and the demo, respectively.

CNN was in fourth place in primetime among total viewers and ninth in the demo, tied with Comedy Central. During total day, CNN remained in the No. 4 spot in total viewers and was No. 7 in the demo.

PROGRAMMING

Fox News – The Five was the network’s most-watched program, averaging 3.575 million total viewers at 5 p.m. ET. It also took top honors in the demo, with 322,000 viewers.
MS NOW – The Rachel Maddow Show at 9 p.m. ET was the network’s most-watched program in total viewers and the demo with an average of 2.17 million viewers and 231,000 viewers, respectively.
CNN – Anderson Cooper 360 at 8 p.m. ET was the most-watched program, averaging 880,000 total viewers and 146,000 viewers in the demo.
Newsmax – Rob Schmitt Tonight was the net’s top show, with 327,000 total viewers and 22,000 A25-54 viewers. For the quarter, Newsmax was down -9% in total viewers and -33% in the demo during primetime. It was also down -13% in total viewers and -18% in the demo during total day.
NewsNation – Cuomo was the net’s top show in total viewers and A25-54. It had 254,000 and 32,000 viewers, respectively. The network dipped by -2% in total viewers and -27% in the demo during primetime during Q2 2026. It also fell by -6% in total viewers and -25% in the demo during total day.
Fox Business – Varney and Company was the net’s top show in total viewers, with 298,000 viewers. Kudlow was in the top spot in the demo with 14,000 viewers. FBN dropped by -9% in total viewers and -13% the demo during primetime, while it was down -2% and flat in total viewers and the demo, respectively, during total day.
CNBC – Fast Money Halftime Report was the net’s top show in total viewers, with 279,000. In the A25-54 demo, it was also the No. 1 show with 75,000 viewers. The business network declined by -14% in total viewers and -28% in the demo during primetime. In total day, it was also down by -8% in total viewers and -12% in the demo.

Among Total Viewers

The Five – Fox News (3,575,000)
Jesse Watters Primetime – Fox News – (3,232,000)
Gutfeld! – Fox News – (2,837,000)
Hannity – Fox News – (2,799,000)
Special Report with Bret Baier – Fox News – (2,723,000)
The Ingraham Angle – Fox News – (2,578,000)
The Rachel Maddow Show – MS NOW – (2,170,000)
The Will Cain Show – Fox News – (2,164,000)
The Story with Martha MacCallum – Fox News – (1,909,000)
Outnumbered – Fox News – (1,895,000)
America’s Newsroom – Fox News – (1,890,000)
The Faulkner Focus – Fox News – (1,850,000)
America Reports – Fox News – (1,829,000)
Fox News at Night – Fox News – (1,536,000)
Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell – MS NOW – (1,380,000)

Among Adults 25-54

The Five – Fox News – (322,000)
Gutfeld! – Fox News – (299,000)
Jesse Watters Primetime – Fox News – (283,000)
Hannity – Fox News – (262,000)
Special Report with Bret Baier – Fox News – (245,000)
The Rachel Maddow Show – MSNBC – (231,000)
The Ingraham Angle – Fox News – (225,000)
The Will Cain Show – Fox News – (187,000)
Fox News at Night – Fox News – (180,000)
Outnumbered – Fox News – (172,000)
America Reports – Fox News – (170,000)
The Story – Fox News – (169,000)
The Faulkner Focus – Fox News – (168,000)
America’s Newsroom – Fox – (157,000)
Anderson Cooper 360 – CNN – (146,000)

2026 Q2 Cable News Ratings (Nielsen Big Data + Panel):

	Fox News	MS NOW	CNN
• Total Viewers:	2,493,000	1,063,000	711,000
• A25-54:	230,000	107,000	120,000

Total Day

	Fox News	MS NOW	CNN
• Total Viewers:	1,575,000	655,000	496,000
• A25-54:	149,000	67,000	75,000

Q2’26 Cable Ranker P25-54 BDP by Adweek