No major news stories surfaced during the month of May to keep audiences engaged across the major cable news networks. This resulted in a downward trend in total viewers and the Adults 25-54 demo for all three outlets during primetime and total day.
Despite posting lower month-to-month numbers, Fox News remained the most-watched cable network in total viewers. However, it surrendered that crown to ESPN in the coveted demo during both dayparts as playoff action from the NBA and NHL continued to keep viewers away from the news networks.
Fox News
According to Nielsen big data + panel, Fox News had 2.381 million total viewers in primetime and 210,000 viewers in the adults 25-54 demo in May. During total day, it had 1.528 million total viewers and 142,000 viewers in the demo.
Compared to its April 2026 performance, Fox News was down -17% in total viewers and -35% in the A25-54 demo during primetime. While in total day, the network saw losses of -19% in total viewers and -28% in the demo when compared to the previous month.
Looking at Fox News’ performance against the same month in 2025, it declined by -3% in total viewers and -20% in the demo during primetime. While in total day, it was down by -2% in total viewers and -21% in the demo—it was the only network within this yearly comparison to record declines in the demo.
The network finished May in first place among total viewers and moved from the No. 4 position to No. 3 in the demo during primetime. During total day, it remained in first place in total viewers and second in the demo.
MS NOW
MS NOW finished in second place in total viewers in primetime and total day, with 942,000 and 594,000 viewers, respectively, in May. The network in the A25-54 demo had 93,000 viewers in primetime and 61,000 viewers during total day.
Compared to April, MS NOW was down -25% in total viewers and -28% in the A25-54 demo during primetime. During total day, it registered declines of -22% in total viewers and -24% in the demo.
Looking at its performance in May 2025, MS NOW was up +7% in total viewers and +27% in the demo during primetime. It was also up +9% in total viewers and +24% in the demo during total day.
MS NOW continued to place third during primetime and slipped from No. 2 to No. 3 during total day among total viewers. It finished 14th in the demo during primetime and 11th in the demo during total day.
CNN
During primetime in May, CNN had 633,000 total viewers and 110,000 A25-54 viewers. Looking at total day, the network had 460,000 total viewers and 71,000 demo viewers.
Compared to the previous month, CNN saw total viewers fall by -30% and demo viewers by -37% during primetime. It was also down by -28% in total viewers and -35% in the demo during total day.
When looking at its performance to the same month in 2025 during primetime, it was up +49% in total viewers and +45% in the demo. In total day, CNN grew by +30% and +20% in total viewers and the demo, respectively.
CNN dropped one spot to No. 6 during primetime and remained in fourth during total day in total viewers. Its position in the demo saw it finish 11th in primetime and sixth in total day.
Looking at the May performance of the other news nets:
- NewsNation – The network’s primetime viewership averaged 146,000 total viewers and 18,000 demo viewers, respectively. Cuomo was the top show for the network in total viewers and the demo with 235,000 and 31,000 viewers, respectively.
- Fox Business – Varney & Company took the top spot in total viewers with 297,000, while Kudlow finished in first place in the demo with 16,000 viewers.
- CNBC – Fast Money Halftime Report was the most-watched program in total viewers, with 278,000, as well as in the A25-54 demo, with 79,000 viewers.
- Newsmax – Rob Schmitt Tonight was the network’s top show in total viewers and the Adults 25-54 demo, with 320,000 and 24,000 viewers, respectively.
PROGRAMMING
- Fox News – The Five was the most-watched program in total viewers with 3.56 million at 5 p.m. ET. It also claimed the top spot in the advertiser-coveted A25-54 demo, with 317,000 viewers.
- MS NOW – The most-watched show in total viewers and the demo continued to be The Rachel Maddow Show with 2.039 million and 206,000 viewers, respectively, at 9 p.m. ET on Mondays.
- CNN – CNN’s Erin Burnett Outfront was the network’s top performer in total viewers, with 738,000 viewers, and CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip was the network’s No. 1 show in the A25-54 demo with 138,000 viewers.
Among Total Viewers
- The Five – Fox News (3,560,000)
- Jesse Watters Primetime – Fox News -(3,135,000)
- Gutfeld! – Fox News – (2,854,000)
- Hannity – Fox News – (2,724,000)
- Special Report with Bret Baier – Fox News – (2,659,000)
- The Ingraham Angle – Fox News – (2,476,000)
- The Will Cain Show – Fox News – (2,150,000)
- The Rachel Maddow Show – MS NOW – (2,039,000)
- The Story with Martha MacCallum – Fox News (1,915,000)
- Outnumbered – Fox News – (1,901,000)
- America’s Newsroom – Fox News – (1,893,000)
- The Faulkner Focus – Fox News – ( 1,847,000)
- America Reports – Fox News – (1,825,000)
- Fox News @Night – Fox News – (1,493,000)
- Fox and Friends – Fox News – (1,322,000)
Among Adults 25-54
- The Five – Fox News – (317,000)
- Gutfeld! – Fox News – (293,000)
- Jesse Watters Primetime – Fox News – (261,000)
- Hannity – Fox News – (244,000)
- Special Report with Bret Baier – Fox News – (230,000)
- The Ingraham Angle – Fox News – (211,000)
- The Rachel Maddow Show – MSNBC – (206,000)
- The Will Cain Show – Fox News – (185,000)
- Outnumbered – Fox News – (173,000)
- Fox News @Night – Fox News – (172,000)
- America Reports – Fox News – (167,000) & The Faulkner Focus – Fox News – (167,000)
- The Story with Martha MacCallum – Fox News – (166,000)
- America’s Newsroom – Fox News – (157,000)
- CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip – CNN – (138,000)
May 2026 Cable News Ratings (Nielsen Big Data + Panel):
Fox News MS NOW CNN • Total Viewers: 2,381,000 942,000 633,000 • A25-54: 210,000 93,000 110,000
Total Day
Fox News MS NOW CNN • Total Viewers: 1,528,000 594,000 460,000 • A25-54: 142,000 61,000 71,000