Here are the Cable News Ratings for May 2026

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 

1. The Five – Fox News (3,560,000)
2. Jesse Watters Primetime – Fox News -(3,135,000)
3. Gutfeld! – Fox News – (2,854,000) 
4. Hannity  – Fox News – (2,724,000)
5. Special Report with Bret Baier – Fox News – (2,659,000)
6. The Ingraham Angle – Fox News  – (2,476,000)
7. The Will Cain Show – Fox News – (2,150,000)
8. The Rachel Maddow Show – MS NOW – (2,039,000)
9. The Story with Martha MacCallum – Fox News (1,915,000)
10. Outnumbered – Fox News – (1,901,000)
11. America’s Newsroom – Fox News – (1,893,000)
12. The Faulkner Focus – Fox News – ( 1,847,000)
13. America Reports – Fox News – (1,825,000)
14. Fox News @Night – Fox News – (1,493,000)
15.  Fox and Friends – Fox News – (1,322,000)

Among Adults 25-54 

1. The Five – Fox News – (317,000)
2. Gutfeld! – Fox News –  (293,000)
3. Jesse Watters Primetime – Fox News – (261,000)
4. Hannity – Fox News – (244,000)
5. Special Report with Bret Baier – Fox News – (230,000)
6. The Ingraham Angle – Fox News – (211,000)
7. The Rachel Maddow Show – MSNBC – (206,000) 
8. The Will Cain Show – Fox News – (185,000)
9. Outnumbered  – Fox News – (173,000)
10. Fox News @Night – Fox News – (172,000)
11. America Reports – Fox News – (167,000) & The Faulkner Focus – Fox News – (167,000)
12. The Story with Martha MacCallum – Fox News – (166,000)
13. America’s Newsroom – Fox News – (157,000)
14. CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip – CNN – (138,000)