The three major cable news networks offered sharply different interpretations of second-quarter audience data this week, with Fox News Channel emphasizing its continued ratings dominance while CNN and MS NOW highlighted year-over-year growth and expanding digital engagement, according to press releases sent this week.
Fox News remained the most-watched cable news network during both the second quarter and June, averaging 1.58 million total-day viewers and 2.49 million prime-time viewers during the quarter, data from Nielsen showed. The network said it commanded nearly 60 percent of the cable news audience and outperformed CNN and MS NOW combined in total viewers during both total day and in prime-time.
Fox News averaged 2.63 million viewers during weekday prime-time in June, surpassing NBC and CBS, while programs including “The Five,” “Jesse Watters Primetime,” “Gutfeld!” and “Special Report with Bret Baier” ranked among cable news’ highest-rated broadcasts. “Gutfeld!” continued to outperform broadcast late-night competitors during the month, the Nielsen data showed.
Over at CNN, the network focused on momentum rather than absolute audience size, with its press release describing Q2 as its strongest for growth in several years.
CNN highest second-quarter total-day audience among persons 2 and older since 2022 and its strongest prime-time performance since 2021. Compared with the same quarter last year, CNN said total-day viewership increased 24 percent among total viewers, while prime-time audiences grew 33 percent. The network also maintained its position among the top five cable networks in total-day viewing for a 16th consecutive quarter.
Beyond television, CNN pointed to continued growth for its All Access subscription product, higher engagement across connected TV and streaming platforms and a 21 percent increase in intentional video starts per viewer during June. The company also said CNN remained the most engaging news brand on Instagram and reported more than 57 million podcast downloads and streams so far this year.
MS NOW, the Versant-owned cable network previously known as MSNBC, emphasized growth following the rollout of its new programming schedule. MS NOW reported seventh consecutive monthly year-over-year audience gains, including double-digit increases during June across both total viewers and adults 25-54. Through the first half of 2026, MS NOW averaged 1.3 million weekday prime-time viewers, up 8 percent from a year earlier, while weekday live programming increased 17 percent among total viewers and 36 percent among adults between the ages of 25 and 54 years old.
