Below are the cable news ratings for the first quarter of 2026.
Conflict was the theme of the first quarter of the year. January and March started off with U.S. military action in Venezuela and Iran, respectively. This and other storylines, which focused on ICE enforcement, the economy, and the long TSA lines, led the cable networks to record double-digit growth in total viewers and the Adults 25-54 demo during the first three months.
Fox News continued its reign as the most-watched cable network, with MS NOW finishing in second place in total viewers and CNN taking the No. 2 spot in the demo.
Fox News Channel
According to Nielsen big data + panel, Fox News averaged 2.585 million total primetime viewers and 265,000 Adults 25-54 viewers in Q1 2026. During total day, Fox News had 1.703 million total viewers and 171,000 demo viewers.
Compared to the fourth quarter, Fox News was up +25% in total viewers and +39% in the demo during primetime. When looking at total day, it was up by +23% and +36% in total viewers and the demo, respectively.
Looking at Fox News’ performance against the same quarter in 2025, total viewers were down -14% and the demo was down -30% during primetime. While in total day, it saw losses of -11% in total viewers and -31% in the demo—it was the only network within 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. 3 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 Q1 2026, MS NOW averaged 1.108 million total primetime viewers and 114,000 primetime demo viewers. During total day, MS NOW had 690,000 total viewers and 72,000 A25-54 viewers.
When looking at MS NOW’s performance vs. the fourth quarter in 2025, it was up in total viewers and the demo by +25% and +46%, respectively, during primetime. During total day, the network was also up +23% in total viewers and +47% in the demo.
Looking at its performance in the first quarter of 2025, MS NOW was up +8% in total viewers and +19% in the demo during primetime. It was also up +16% in total viewers and +26% in the demo during total day.
MS NOW remained in third place in total viewers and was tied with Comedy Central for 11th place in the demo. During total day, MS NOW continued to be in third place in total viewers and 8th in the demo.
