Observed Signal · Feb 7, 2026 · Ratings Report · Source: Feedspot/RSS · Impact: 1/5 · Sentiment: Positive
Cable News Sees Surge Amid Major January Events
During the week of Jan. 26, 2026, U.S. basic cable news networks posted notable viewership increases amid major news events and severe winter weather. Nielsen data reported Fox News led primetime with an average of 2.565 million total viewers (245,000 A25-54), up 16% in total viewers and 17% in the demo versus the prior week. MS NOW surged across metrics — averaging 1.241 million primetime viewers and 151,000 in A25-54, with a +62% week-over-week primetime demo gain and an over-60% jump in the primetime demo on some measures. CNN also grew week-over-week, averaging 832,000 primetime viewers and 169,000 in the A25-54 demo. Program-level highlights included MS NOW’s The Rachel Maddow Show topping the 9 p.m. hour on Monday in total viewers and Adults 25-54, narrowly surpassing Fox News’ Hannity.
Weekly cable-news audience metrics are routine measurement data relevant to advertisers and buyers but are not industry-shifting; they inform short-term ad planning and inventory valuation.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Fox News averaged 2.565 million primetime total viewers and 245,000 A25-54 viewers for the week of Jan. 26, 2026.
- Fox News primetime was up +16% in total viewers and +17% in the A25-54 demo versus the prior week.
- MS NOW averaged 1.241 million primetime total viewers and 151,000 A25-54 viewers, with a +17% week-over-week gain in total viewers and +62% in the primetime demo.
- CNN averaged 832,000 primetime total viewers and 169,000 A25-54 viewers, up +22% in total viewers and +37% in the demo versus the previous week.
- On Monday, The Rachel Maddow Show had 2.668 million total viewers (345,000 in A25-54) and outdrew Fox News’ Hannity (2.654 million total viewers; 244,000 A25-54) in the 9 p.m. ET hour.
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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.
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.
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.
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