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.
