Cable News Ratings: A Challenging May for Major Networks
Cable news networks faced a broad viewership decline in May 2026, as a lack of major breaking news stories and competition from professional sports playoffs impacted ratings across the board. According to Nielsen data reported by Adweek, Fox News, MSNBC, and CNN all saw month-over-month decreases in both total viewers and the advertiser-coveted Adults 25-54 demographic during primetime and total day viewing.
How Fox News Performed in May
Despite a month of industry-wide declines, Fox News maintained its position as the most-watched cable news network in terms of total viewers. During primetime in May 2026, the network averaged 2.381 million total viewers and 210,000 viewers in the A25-54 demographic. Compared to its performance in April 2026, these figures represent a 17% drop in total viewers and a 35% decline in the key demographic.
In total day ratings, Fox News averaged 1.528 million total viewers and 142,000 demo viewers. While the network remained first in total viewers, it faced stiff competition from ESPN, which outperformed news outlets in the demo due to ongoing NBA and NHL playoff coverage.
MSNBC and CNN Performance Trends
MSNBC finished the month in second place across both primetime and total day in terms of total viewers. The network averaged 942,000 primetime viewers and 594,000 total day viewers. Its key demographic performance saw 93,000 viewers in primetime and 61,000 during the total day. When compared to April 2026, MSNBC experienced a 25% decrease in primetime total viewers and a 28% decline in the A25-54 demo.
CNN saw significant fluctuations as well. During primetime, the network averaged 633,000 total viewers and 110,000 demo viewers. This marked a 30% drop in total viewers and a 37% decline in the demo compared to the previous month. Despite these monthly dips, CNN showed year-over-year growth when compared to May 2025, posting a 49% increase in primetime total viewers and a 45% increase in the demo.
Comparison of May 2026 Primetime Performance
The following table summarizes the primetime averages for the three major networks during May 2026, based on Nielsen data:
| Network | Total Viewers | Adults 25-54 |
| :— | :— | :— |
| Fox News | 2,381,000 | 210,000 |
| MSNBC | 942,000 | 93,000 |
| CNN | 633,000 | 110,000 |
Top Performing Programs
Specific programs continued to drive the bulk of network viewership. Fox News’ *The Five* secured the top spot among all cable news programs, averaging 3.56 million total viewers and 317,000 viewers in the A25-54 demo.
On MSNBC, *The Rachel Maddow Show* remained the network’s most-watched program, drawing 2.039 million total viewers and 206,000 demo viewers. CNN’s primetime lineup was led by *Erin Burnett Outfront* in total viewers, with 738,000, while *CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip* performed best for the network in the key demo with 138,000 viewers.
What’s Next for Cable News
The decline in May highlights the sensitivity of cable news ratings to the broader media environment. With the sports calendar providing consistent alternatives for viewers, news networks remain dependent on high-interest news cycles to drive engagement. Whether these networks can recover their momentum depends on upcoming political developments and the ability of their primetime anchors to retain audiences throughout the summer months.