Observed Signal · Feb 25, 2026 · Ratings Report · Source: Adweek · Impact: 1/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
Cable News Ratings Surge: Fox Leads, CNN Soars!
Adweek/TVNewser reports Nielsen weekly cable-news ratings for the week of Feb. 9, 2026. All three major cable news networks (Fox News, MS NOW, CNN) posted gains in total viewers for primetime and total day, with CNN showing double-digit week-over-week growth. MS NOW was the only network to record a week-to-week decline in the Adults 25-54 primetime demo. Fox News led in total primetime viewers and occupied most top spots in weekly program rankings; The Five was the most-watched show. The report includes primetime and total day averages and week-over-week and year-over-year percentage changes for each network.
Routine weekly Nielsen ratings showing audience shifts; relevant to media planning and buy decisions but not industry‑shifting.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Nielsen (big data + panel) for week of Feb. 9, 2026: Fox News averaged 2,768,000 total primetime viewers and 285,000 A25-54 primetime viewers.
- Fox News total day averaged 1,841,000 total viewers and 187,000 A25-54; week-over-week +7% total viewers and +7% demo in total day.
- MS NOW averaged 1,126,000 total primetime viewers and 127,000 A25-54 primetime viewers; week-over-week +3% in total viewers and -5% in the A25-54 primetime demo.
- CNN averaged 895,000 total primetime viewers and 162,000 A25-54 primetime viewers; week-over-week +19% in total viewers and +14% in the demo. Total day: 613,000 total viewers and 99,000 A25-54.
- Fox News held 14 of the 15 most-watched cable news shows; The Five was top with 4.126 million viewers. Jesse Watters Primetime was the most-watched show in the A25-54 demo (377,000).
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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.
Fox News Only Big Cable Network to Grow Week of March 23
Nielsen data for the week of March 23, 2026, show Fox News was the only major basic cable news network to post week‑over‑week audience growth in both total viewers and the Adults 25–54 demo across primetime and total day. Fox News averaged 2.662 million primetime viewers (259,000 A25-54) and 1.707 million total-day viewers (169,000 A25-54), with primetime up +8% in total viewers and +14% in the demo versus the prior week. MS NOW and CNN posted mixed results: MS NOW averaged 1.171 million primetime viewers (101,000 A25-54) and CNN averaged 751,000 primetime viewers (133,000 A25-54). Fox News occupied 13 of the 15 most-watched cable news program slots; The Five led with 3.989 million viewers. Year-over-year comparisons for networks varied, with CNN showing notable gains versus the prior year.
February 2026: Fox News Dominates Cable Ratings Surge
February 2026 cable news ratings showed month-over-month gains in primetime total viewers and the Adults 25-54 demo for the three major cable news networks. Nielsen Big Data + Panel data reported Fox News led primetime with 2.612 million total viewers and 260,000 A25-54, while MS NOW had 1.136 million total viewers and 131,000 A25-54, and CNN had 807,000 total viewers and 154,000 A25-54. All three networks grew versus January 2026 in primetime; Fox News accounted for all of the top 100 cable-news telecasts in February. Year-over-year comparisons were mixed: Fox News declined versus February 2025 in both metrics, while CNN and MS NOW showed increases versus the comparable month last year. The report also lists top programs and per-program audience figures for total viewers and A25-54.
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