When looking at these networks’ performance during the same period a year ago:
- During primetime, Fox News was flat in total viewers and fell by -24% in the A25-54 demo. During total day, the network posted losses of -2% in total viewers and -26% in the demo. It was the only network with declines within this yearly comparison.
- MS NOW was up +23% in total viewers and +54% in the demo. During total day, the network was up +10% in total viewers and +21% in the demo.
- In primetime, CNN grew by +58% in total viewers and +77% in the demo. During total day, it rose by +40% in total viewers and +41% in the demo.
PROGRAMMING:
Fox News had 14 out of the 15 spots of the most-watched cable news shows of the week, with The Five on top with 3.33 million total viewers at 5 p.m. ET. MS NOW was represented in the chart by The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell, airing weeknights at 10 p.m. ET, with 1.194 million total viewers at No. 15.
The Five also finished first in the Adults 25-54 demo, averaging 285,000 viewers at 5 p.m. ET. Fox News held 12 of the 15 top spots in the demo, with CNN’s The Source with Kaitlan Collins landing in 8th place with 161,000 demo viewers. CNN was also represented in the chart at No. 14 by CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip, airing weeknights at 10 p.m. ET, with 142,000 demo viewers. MS NOW’s All in with Chris Hayes, which airs weeknights at 8 p.m. ET, ranked 15th with 141,000 demo viewers.
May 25, 2026 (Nielsen big data + panel):
Prime Time
| Fox News | MS NOW | CNN | |
| • Total Viewers: | 2,299,000 | 881,000 | 590,000 |
| • A25-54: | 183,000 | 100,000 | 108,000 |
Total Day
| Fox News | MS NOW | CNN | |
| • Total Viewers: | 1,448,000 | 554,000 | 432,000 |
| • A25-54: | 130,000 | 57,000 | 69,000 |
