Observed Signal · Feb 26, 2026 · Ratings Report · Source: Adweek · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Negative
Cable News Ratings Plummet: All Networks See Declines
For the week of Feb. 16, 2026, Nielsen’s big-data + panel measurements show all three major U.S. cable news networks recorded week‑over‑week declines in total viewers and Adults 25–54 during both primetime and total day. Fox News led primetime and total-day total viewers but posted double‑digit drops versus the prior week and significant year‑over‑year declines in both metrics. MS NOW and CNN also fell week‑to‑week, with CNN showing the largest primetime percentage drop week‑over‑week but year‑over‑year gains. Fox News dominated the most‑watched program chart, taking 13 of the top 15 slots; The Five was the single most‑watched show. Program-level demo leaders included Gutfeld! in A25‑54.
Weekly cable news viewership declines affect publisher reach and ad inventory availability/pricing but do not represent a major platform or policy change.
Track MS NOW Signals & Market Shifts in Real-Time
Polaris7 autonomous intelligence agents track regulatory filings, primary sources, executive changes, and deal flow 24/7. Create your free Explorer workspace to monitor these entities.
Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Nielsen measured week of Feb. 16, 2026: Fox News averaged 2.483 million primetime total viewers and 235,000 A25‑54 viewers; primetime down -10% (total) and -18% (A25‑54) week‑over‑week.
- Fox News total day averaged 1.629 million total viewers and 149,000 A25‑54 viewers, down -12% (total) and -20% (A25‑54) week‑over‑week.
- MS NOW averaged 1.084 million primetime total viewers and 112,000 A25‑54 viewers (primetime down -4% total, -12% demo); total day averages were 668,000 total and 72,000 A25‑54.
- CNN averaged 749,000 primetime total viewers and 140,000 A25‑54 (primetime down -16% total, -14% demo); total day averages were 519,000 total and 82,000 A25‑54.
- Fox News held 13 of the 15 most‑watched cable news program slots that week; The Five was top with 3.738 million viewers and Gutfeld! led the A25‑54 demo (328,000).
Connected Companies & Entities
4 Entities mappedRelated Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
Week of April 13: Cable News Ratings Drop
For the week of April 13, 2026, Nielsen (Big Data + Panel) measurement shows the three major U.S. cable news networks — Fox News, MS NOW and CNN — posted week-over-week declines in total viewers and Adults 25-54 across primetime and total day amid a slower news cycle. Fox News remained the most-watched network, averaging the largest audience. Network averages and demo rankings shifted slightly week-to-week and versus the prior year, with mixed year-over-year gains and losses across the three networks. Top-program performance was led by Fox News’ The Five, which was the most-watched cable news show of the week.
Cable News Viewership Falls Week of March 9
Nielsen big data + panel metrics show that for the week of March 9, 2026, the three major U.S. cable news networks — Fox News, MS NOW (MSNBC), and CNN — posted double-digit week‑over‑week declines in total viewers and Adults 25‑54. Fox News led primetime total viewers but saw drops versus the prior week; MS NOW and CNN also declined and lost rank positions in primetime and total day demos. The report cites the ongoing Middle East conflict and the recent switch to Daylight Saving Time as possible influences. Program-level leaders included Fox News’ The Five (most total viewers) and Gutfeld! (most A25‑54).
Cable News Ratings Rise Week of July 13, 2026
From July through September 2026, cable news viewership declined as the news cycle slowed, with all major networks experiencing month-over-month and quarter-over-quarter drops. Fox News remained the most-watched network, averaging 2.064 million primetime viewers in Q3, but suffered a 17% year-over-year decline. In September, Fox's primetime viewers fell to 1.717 million (down 19% from August), with a 42% yearly drop in the week of September 7. MSNBC, referred to as MS NOW, was the only network with year-over-year gains in both total viewers and A25-54 demo, increasing 16% in primetime total viewers and 37% in total day demo; in the week of September 14, it rebounded with 33% primetime viewer gains and 47% demo gains. CNN also showed yearly growth (up 13% in primetime total viewers) and gained 13% in primetime viewers that week. However, all networks saw yearly declines in total viewers except MSNBC and CNN, which grew slightly. Top programs included 'The Five', leading with 3.146 million total viewers, and 'Hannity', 'The Rachel Maddow Show', and 'CNN NewsNight' ranking high on their networks. The data, based on Nielsen big data + panel, sets the stage for Q4 as networks prepare for midterm elections and sports programming.
Track Real-Time Market Signals & Shifts
Set up custom watchlists to receive automated, evidence-grounded executive digests whenever material signals or shifts occur across your tracked landscape.