Observed Signal · Jun 9, 2026 · Measurement Report · Source: Cord Cutters News · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
Fox News Tops MS NOW and CNN Combined in May 2026
According to a May 2026 Nielsen-based ratings report published by Adweek and summarized by Cord Cutters News, Fox News led cable news in May 2026, drawing more primetime viewers than MS NOW and CNN combined. Fox averaged 2.381 million primetime viewers versus 942,000 for MS NOW and 633,000 for CNN. Despite substantial month-over-month audience declines across networks, Fox maintained a dominant scale: it also led in total day with 1.528 million viewers. The report highlights steep month-on-month declines for all three networks (notably Fox and CNN) while showing mixed year-over-year trends — Fox modestly down versus May 2025, MS NOW and CNN posting notable annual gains in several measures.
May 2026 Nielsen ratings show a large, persistent audience lead for Fox News over competitors; relevant to advertisers, media planners and TV monetization but not a platform-level policy or industry-shifting technical change.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Fox News averaged 2.381 million primetime viewers in May 2026.
- MS NOW averaged 942,000 primetime viewers and CNN averaged 633,000 in May 2026; combined MS NOW + CNN primetime total = 1.575 million.
- Fox News averaged 1.528 million total-day viewers versus 594,000 for MS NOW and 460,000 for CNN.
- Month-over-month (April→May 2026): Fox lost 17% of primetime total viewers and 35% of adults 25–54 primetime; CNN lost 30% of primetime total viewers and 37% of the primetime demo; MS NOW lost 25% of total primetime viewers and 28% of the primetime demo.
- Year-over-year (May 2025→May 2026): Fox primetime total viewers down ~3% (demo down ~20%); MS NOW primetime up 7% (demo up 27%); CNN primetime total viewers up 49% (demo up 45%).
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June 2026 Cable News Ratings: Fox Leads, MS NOW Gains
Adweek published Nielsen Big Data + Panel cable-news ratings for June 2026. Fox News led in total viewers for both primetime (2.26 million) and total day (1.451 million) while ranking third in the Adults 25-54 demo for primetime. MS NOW posted month-over-month and year-over-year gains in several measured categories—becoming the only network with across-the-board year-over-year growth—and averaged 1.015 million primetime viewers. CNN averaged 610,000 primetime viewers and showed declines versus May 2026 and June 2025. The report also lists top-performing programs (The Five, Jesse Watters Primetime, The Rachel Maddow Show, etc.) and program-level A25-54 rankings used by advertisers and buyers.
Fox News and MS NOW Lead June 22 Cable Ratings
Adweek’s TVNewser published Nielsen Big Data + Panel national cable-news ratings for the week of June 22, 2026. Fox News averaged 2.223 million primetime viewers (187,000 A25-54) and 1.439 million viewers (126,000 A25-54) in total day; MS NOW averaged 1.025 million primetime viewers (86,000 A25-54) and 649,000 total-day viewers (59,000 A25-54). CNN averaged 622,000 primetime viewers (85,000 A25-54) and 446,000 total-day viewers (57,000 A25-54). Week‑over‑week percentage changes and year‑over‑year comparisons were reported for each network. Fox News occupied most spots on the weekly most‑watched programming list (The Five led with 3.303 million viewers). The report notes primetime viewership declines across networks for the week, citing seasonal factors and FIFA World Cup viewing as possible influences.
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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