Cable News Viewership Declines Continue, Impacted by Middle East Conflict and Daylight Saving Time

Cable news networks experienced a continued decline in viewership during the week of March 9, 2026, despite ongoing coverage of the war in the Middle East. The shift to Daylight Saving Time may have also contributed to the drop in both total viewers and the key Adults 25-54 demographic, according to data from Nielsen via Adweek.

Network Performance: Primetime Viewership

Fox News led in total primetime viewership, averaging 2.791 million total viewers and 285,000 viewers in the Adults 25-54 demo. However, the network saw a 10% decrease in total viewers and a 21% drop in the demo compared to the previous week.

MS NOW averaged 1.157 million total viewers and 122,000 in the A25-54 demo during primetime. This represents a 15% decline in total viewers and a 24% decrease in the demo compared to the week prior.

CNN averaged 820,000 total primetime viewers and 149,000 A25-54 viewers. The network experienced a 22% drop in total viewers and a 32% decrease in the demo compared to the previous week.

Network Performance: Total Day Viewership

In total day viewing, Fox News averaged 1.752 million total viewers and 176,000 A25-54 viewers, down 14% and 20% respectively from the previous week.

MS NOW averaged 701,000 total viewers and 73,000 demo viewers during total day, a decrease of 12% in total viewers and 20% in the demo.

CNN averaged 592,000 total viewers and 98,000 viewers in the demo during total day, falling 18% in total viewers and 27% in the demo.

Year-Over-Year Comparisons

Compared to the same week in 2025, performance varied. Fox News was down 6% in total primetime viewers and 21% in the A25-54 demo. MS NOW saw a 1% decrease in total primetime viewers but a 23% increase in the demo. CNN experienced significant growth, with a 44% increase in total primetime viewers and a 30% increase in the demo.

Top-Performing Programs

Fox News dominated the list of most-watched cable news shows, securing 13 of the top 15 spots. The Five led with 3.934 million total viewers at 5 p.m. ET. Gutfeld! was the most-watched program in the Adults 25-54 demo, averaging 395,000 viewers.

MS NOW had two shows represented: The Rachel Maddow Present (11th place, 2.126 million total viewers) and The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell (1.53 million total viewers).

CNN had one show in the top 15, CNN Newsnight with Abby Phillip, finishing in 14th place with 182,000 demo viewers.

Daylight Saving Time and Viewership

The recent switch to Daylight Saving Time on March 14, 2026, may have contributed to the overall decline in viewership across cable news networks. Middle Eastern countries do not observe Daylight Saving Time, and the time difference could affect viewing habits.