When looking at these networks’ performance during the same period a year ago:
- During primetime, Fox News was down -3% in total viewers and the A25-54 demo. During total day, the network was down -2% in total viewers and -10% in the demo–the only network with declines within this yearly comparison.
- MS NOW was up by +21% in total viewers and +41% in the demo. During total day, the network was up +18% in total viewers and +35% in the demo.
- In primetime, CNN grew by +48% in total viewers and +46% in the demo. During total day, it rose by +48% in total viewers and +47% in the demo.
PROGRAMMING:
Fox News had 14 out of the 15 spots of the most-watched cable news shows of the week, with The Five leading the way with 3.35 million total viewers at 5 p.m. ET. MS NOW was represented in the chart by The Rachel Maddow Show, airing on Monday nights at 9 p.m. ET, with 2.004 million total viewers at No. 7.
The Five ranked No. 1 in the Adults 25-54 demo, averaging 305,000 viewers. Fox News held 13 of the 15 top spots in the demo, with MS NOW represented by The Rachel Maddow Show, which drew 193,000 viewers in the No. 6 position, and CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip, airing five days a week at 10 p.m. ET, finishing with 164,000 viewers to take the No. 10 position.
August 3, 2026 (Nielsen Big Data + Panel):
Prime Time
| Fox News | MS NOW | CNN | |
| • Total Viewers: | 2,210,000 | 995,000 | 667,000 |
| • A25-54: | 211,000 | 103,000 | 114,000 |
Total Day
| Fox News | MS NOW | CNN | |
| • Total Viewers: | 1,411,000 | 618,000 | 473,000 |
| • A25-54: | 137,000 | 65,000 | 72,000 |
