Observed Signal · Mar 20, 2026 · Ratings Report · Source: Adweek · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Negative
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).
Weekly cable-news ratings affect TV audience reach, advertiser planning and short‑term inventory pricing; notable week‑over‑week declines in total viewers and the 25‑54 demo across major cable networks are relevant to TV buyers and media planners but not industry‑shifting.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Nielsen big data + panel reported week-of-March-9, 2026 ratings for cable news.
- Fox News averaged 2.791 million primetime total viewers and 285,000 A25‑54; down -10% in total viewers and -21% in the demo versus the prior week.
- MS NOW averaged 1.157 million primetime total viewers and 122,000 A25‑54; down -15% in total viewers and -24% in the demo versus the prior week.
- CNN averaged 820,000 primetime total viewers and 149,000 A25‑54; down -22% in total viewers and -32% in the demo versus the prior week.
- Program highlights: The Five was the week's most-watched show with 3.934 million total viewers; Gutfeld! led the A25‑54 demo averaging 395,000 viewers.
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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.
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 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.
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