The latest cable news ratings for the week of August 24, 2026, released via Nielsen big data and panel measurements, highlight a period of notable momentum for MS NOW, even as Fox News continues to dominate the upper echelons of basic cable viewership.
During the final full week of August 2026, the competitive landscape of cable news saw distinct shifts across major networks. MS NOW experienced encouraging week-to-week gains, securing growth in both total viewers and the critical Adults 25-54 demographic across both primetime and total day viewing blocks. The network’s leadership and production teams will undoubtedly find encouragement in its primetime performance, which surged by double digits across both measured categories.
Conversely, Fox News faced minor dips in several key metrics, though the network comfortably retained its crown as the most-watched cable news channel overall. While Fox News led all basic cable networks in primetime and total day total viewers, it experienced slight declines in the primetime demographic, as well as across both total viewers and the demographic during total day programming. Meanwhile, CNN presented a mixed picture, registering growth in its primetime metrics while shedding a small fraction of its total day audience compared to the previous week.
Network Performance Breakdown
According to Nielsen’s metrics for the week beginning August 24, 2026, Fox News averaged 2.027 million total viewers and 169,000 viewers in the coveted Adults 25-54 demographic during primetime hours. This represented a slight increase of 1% in total viewers, though the network experienced a 5% slide in the demographic category compared to the week of August 17.
When evaluating total day viewing—encompassing the full 24-hour programming cycle—Fox News averaged 1.257 million total viewers alongside 104,000 viewers in the demographic. Measured against the previous week’s averages, this amounted to a 2% decline in total viewers and an 8% drop in the demo. Despite these minor week-over-week regressions, Fox News maintained its stronghold on basic cable, finishing first in total primetime viewership and securing the fourth-place position in demo viewership among all basic cable networks. During total day, Fox News likewise claimed the number one spot in total viewers while holding the number two position in the total day demographic.
MS NOW enjoyed a standout week, capturing the attention of industry analysts with robust upward trajectories. The network averaged 937,000 total viewers and 80,000 viewers in the Adults 25-54 demographic during primetime hours. This translated to an impressive 10% surge in total viewers and a remarkable 21% jump in the demographic compared to its primetime average from the prior week.
In total day metrics, MS NOW averaged 596,000 total viewers and 56,000 demo viewers. This performance marked a 4% increase in total viewers and a 17% gain in the demo compared to the network’s averages from the week before. Across the broader basic cable landscape, these gains allowed MS NOW to climb from third to second place in total primetime viewers, while landing at the 15th spot in the primetime demographic. In total day rankings, MS NOW secured third place in total viewers and advanced one spot to claim 11th place in the total day demo among all basic cable channels.
CNN also registered pockets of positive growth during the evaluated weekly cycle. The network averaged 611,000 total primetime viewers and 113,000 demo viewers, reflecting a 5% uptick in total viewers and an 8% increase in the demographic compared to the preceding week.
During total day viewing, CNN recorded 400,000 total viewers and 61,000 viewers within the 25-54 demographic. While this represented a marginal 1% dip in total viewers, the network managed a 2% growth in the demo for this broader daypart. Positioned within the wider ecosystem of basic cable networks, CNN finished sixth in total viewers and shifted from 10th to 11th place in the demo during primetime. For total day, CNN maintained its steady fourth-place position in total viewers and secured the ninth spot in the demo.
Programming Highlights and Top-Rated Shows
An examination of individual program performance underscores Fox News’ continued dominance in drawing massive audiences to specific time slots. Fox News claimed an overwhelming 13 out of the 15 spots on the list of the most-watched cable news programs of the week. Leading the charge across the entire industry was The Five, which pulled in an impressive 2.362 million total viewers during its 5 p.m. ET broadcast.
MS NOW secured two positions on the total viewer chart, anchored by its prominent evening lineup. The Rachel Maddow Show, airing on Monday nights at 9 p.m. ET, secured the seventh spot with 1.868 million total viewers. Meanwhile, The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell, broadcast on weeknights at 10 p.m. ET, landed at number 14 with 1.235 million total viewers.
In the Adults 25-54 demographic, The Five once again reigned supreme as the number one program, averaging 295,000 viewers in the key category. Fox News captured 12 of the top 15 spots in the demo rankings.
CNN successfully broke into the upper tier of the demographic chart with two of its prominent evening programs. CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip, airing five nights a week at 10 p.m. ET, captured the sixth position with 171,000 demo viewers. Following closely in the rankings, The Source with Kaitlan Collins, which airs weeknights at 9 p.m. ET, secured ninth place by drawing 123,000 viewers in the demographic. MS NOW also maintained a presence on the demo chart, with The Rachel Maddow Show rounding out the rankings in 15th place, drawing 114,000 viewers within the 25-54 demographic.
