The start of the United States’ military action against Iran was the top story for March. News of the conflict led to viewership growth across all three cable networks. Fox News and CNN recorded month-to-month gains across the board with total viewers and the Adults 25-54 demo, while MS NOW experienced a slight decline in the prized demo during primetime.
Fox News
According to Nielsen big data + panel, Fox News in March had 2.994 million total viewers in primetime and 323,000 viewers in the Adults 25-54 demo. During total day, it had 1.897 million total viewers and 197,000 viewers in the demo.
Compared to its February 2026 performance, Fox News grew by +15% in total viewers and +24% in the A25-54 demo during primetime viewing hours. While in total day, the network saw gains of +10% in total viewers and +17% in the demo when compared to the previous month.
Looking at Fox News’ performance against the same month in 2025, it was down by -4% in total viewers and by -18% in the demo during primetime. While in total day, it had a +2% gain in total viewers but fell by -18% in the demo—it was the only network within this yearly comparison to record declines.
The network finished March in first place among total viewers and was No. 3 in the demo during primetime. During total day, it remained in first in total viewers and moved back to second from third in the demo.
MS NOW
MS NOW finished in second place in total viewers in primetime and total day, with 1.262 million and 757,000 viewers, respectively, in March. The network in the A25-54 demo had 130,000 viewers in primetime and 80,000 viewers during total day.
Compared to February, MS NOW was up +11% in total viewers but dipped by -1% in the A25-54 demo during primetime. During total day it grew by +7% in total viewers and +1% in the demo.
Looking at its performance in March 2025, MS NOW was up +7% in total viewers and +19% in the demo during primetime. It was also up +20% in total viewers and +33% in the demo during total day.
MS NOW returned to third place during primetime and was No. 3 during total day with total viewers. It dropped to 11th place, tied with Comedy Central, from No. 8 in the demo during primetime and ranked eighth in the demo during total day.
CNN
During primetime in March, CNN had 898,000 total viewers and 175,000 A25-54 viewers. Looking at total day, the network had 638,000 total viewers and 110,000 demo viewers.