Observed Signal · Feb 11, 2026 · Audience Measurement / Ratings Report · Source: Adweek · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
Fox News Soars While Rivals Struggle in Ratings
For the week of Feb. 2, 2026 Nielsen data reported that Fox News was the only basic cable news network to post week‑over‑week gains in both total viewers and the Adults 25‑54 demo in primetime and total day. Fox averaged 2.633 million primetime viewers (275,000 A25‑54) and 1.725 million total‑day viewers (175,000 A25‑54), marking its highest-rated week since September 2025 and week‑over‑week increases of +3%/+12% in primetime (total/demo) and +4%/+9% in total day. MS NOW and CNN registered declines across measured categories and dayparts. Fox programs occupied 13 of the 15 most‑watched cable news slots that week; The Five led with 4.081 million viewers. The rankings affected network positions across total‑day and primetime viewer and demo standings among basic cable networks.
Weekly Nielsen ratings affect TV ad inventory valuations and buyer/seller decisions but are routine, short‑term market signals rather than industry‑shifting events.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Nielsen data for week of Feb. 2, 2026: Fox News averaged 2.633 million primetime total viewers and 275,000 A25-54 viewers.
- Week‑over‑week (vs. week beginning Jan. 26) Fox News was up +3% in primetime total viewers and +12% in the A25-54 demo; total day averages were 1.725 million total viewers and 175,000 A25-54 (up +4% total, +9% demo).
- MS NOW averaged 1.095 million primetime total viewers and 134,000 A25-54, down -12% in total viewers and -11% in the demo versus the prior week; total day averages were 680,000 total and 75,000 A25-54 (down -10% total, -15% demo).
- CNN averaged 753,000 primetime total viewers and 142,000 A25-54 (down -9% total and -16% demo week‑over‑week); total day averages were 527,000 total viewers and 85,000 A25-54 (down -11% total, -19% demo).
- Fox News held 13 of the 15 most-watched cable news program slots that week; The Five was the top program with 4.081 million total viewers, while MS NOW’s The Rachel Maddow Show and The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell were the two non‑Fox shows on the list.
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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.
Fox News Grows in Primetime Week of June 15
Adweek’s TVNewser report for the week of June 15, 2026, shows Fox News was the only basic cable network to record primetime growth in both total viewers and the Adults 25–54 demo. Nielsen Big Data + Panel measured Fox News averaging 2.273 million primetime total viewers and 202,000 A25–54 viewers (up +1% and +2% vs. the prior week), while its total-day audience fell. MS NOW and CNN posted primetime total-viewer gains but declines in key demos across dayparts. Fox News programs dominated weekly charts (The Five led with 3.31 million viewers). The piece lists network-by-network weekly averages and year‑over‑year comparisons for primetime and total day.
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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