What To Know
- Fox News remained the top-rated cable news network for the week of May 11, but saw significant year-over-year declines.
- MS NOW and CNN both experienced week-over-week declines, but posted substantial year-over-year gains.
- Fox News dominated the most-watched cable news shows, holding 14 of the top 15 spots.
The latest cable news ratings are in, and there are significant changes year-over-year for MS NOW, CNN, and Fox News.
According to AdWeek, citing Nielsen big data + panel for the week of May 11, Fox News remained in the top spot, averaging 2.282 million total viewers and 202,000 viewers in the coveted Adults 25-54 demographic during primetime. However, the network was down 8 percent in total viewers and down 9 percent in the demo compared to the week prior.
Fox News also led in total day viewing, averaging 1.465 million total viewers and 142,000 demo viewers. These figures were also down on the previous week, with a drop of 7 percent in total viewers and a drop of 3 percent in the key demo.
Most significantly, though, Fox News was down in both measured categories across primetime and total day when compared to the same period in 2025. In primetime, the network was down 9 percent in total viewers and down 28 percent in the demo. Meanwhile, in total day, it was down 8 percent in total viewers and down 23 percent in the demo, making it the only network with declines in this particular comparison.
MS NOW averaged 903,000 total viewers and 87,000 demo viewers for the week of May 11 in primetime. This was down 7 percent in total viewers and down 4 percent in the demo compared to the week before.
During total day, MS NOW averaged 581,000 total viewers and 62,000 demo viewers. This was down 4 percent in total viewers and flat in the demo compared to the previous week.
MS NOW was up, however, when compared to the same period in 2025. The network was up 11 percent in total viewers and up 30 percent in the demo across primetime. In total day, it was up 9 percent in total viewers and up 32 percent in the demo.
Meanwhile, CNN averaged 661,000 total viewers and 104,000 demo viewers during primetime for the week of May 11. This was down 3 percent in total viewers and down 17 percent in the demo compared to the week prior.
In total day, CNN averaged 447,000 total viewers and 69,000 viewers in the key demo. This was down 8 percent in total viewers and down 14 percent in the demo compared to the previous week.
CNN was also up year over year, with total viewers up 63 percent and the demo up 41 percent in primetime. During total day, the network was up 31 percent in total viewers and up 19 percent in the key demo.
Despite year-over-year shifts, Fox News still held 14 of the 15 spots for the most-watched cable shows of the week. The Five stood at the top with 3.373 million total viewers and 317,000 demo viewers at 5 pm ET. The only non-Fox News show in the Top 15 was MS NOW’s The Rachel Maddow Show, which averaged 1.942 million total viewers and 160,000 demo viewers at 9 pm ET.
