This is TVNewser’s basic cable network ranker and cable news report for the week of Feb. 9, 2026.
All three cable networks recorded growth with total viewers during primetime and total day, with CNN having double-digit growth across the board. Meanwhile, MS NOW was the only network to post week-to-week declines, losing viewers in the Adults 25-54 primetime demo.
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According to Nielsen big data + panel for the week of February 9, Fox News averaged 2.768 million total viewers and 285,000 A25-54 viewers during primetime. The network was up +5% in total viewers and +4% in the demo compared to the week prior (the week beginning February 2).
Fox News averaged 1.841 million total viewers and 187,000 A25-54 viewers in total day viewing. Based on its average from the previous week’s measurements, it was up +7% in total viewers and the demo.
Fox News ranked first in total primetime viewership and dropped to No. 3 from No. 2 in demo viewership among all basic cable networks. In total day, it finished in first place in total viewers and climbed back to second from third in the total day demo.
MS NOW averaged 1.126 million total viewers and 127,000 viewers in the A25-54 demo for the week that just concluded. The network grew by +3% in total viewers but fell by -5% in the demo compared to its average the week prior during primetime.
During total day, MS NOW averaged 720,000 total viewers and 79,000 demo viewers. This translated to gains of +6% in total viewers and +5% in the demo compared to the network’s average the week prior.
Among all basic cable networks, MS NOW remained third in total primetime viewers and dropped to eighth from sixth in the demo, tied with Comedy Central. It was No. 3 in total viewers and remained seventh in the total day demo.
CNN averaged 895,000 total primetime viewers and 162,000 A25-54 viewers during primetime for the week of February 9. The network was up by +19% and +14% in the demo compared to the previous week.
During total day, the network had 613,000 total viewers and 99,000 viewers in the demo. CNN grew by +16% in total viewers and the demo during this daypart.
Among all cable networks, CNN slid to fifth from fourth in total viewers and dropped to sixth from fifth in the demo during primetime. It rose to No. 4 from No. 5 in total day among total viewers and moved from sixth to fifth in the demo.
When looking at these networks’ performance during the same period a year ago:
- During primetime, Fox News was down by -8% in total viewers and -24% in the A25-54 demo. During total day, the network saw decreases of -7% in total viewers and -22% in the demo.
- MS NOW was up +4% in total viewers and +19% in the demo. During total day, the network was up +16% in total viewers and +25% in the demo.
- In primetime, CNN grew by +84% in total viewers and +59% in the demo. During total day, it rose by +63% in total viewers but dropped -16% in the demo.
