Cable News Viewership Cools Off as Middle East Conflict Continues

Viewership of cable news networks declined in the week of March 2, 2026, after an initial surge driven by ongoing unrest in the Middle East, according to Nielsen data. While Fox News continues to lead in total viewership, all three major networks – Fox News, MSNBC, and CNN – experienced week-over-week drops in both total viewers and the key Adults 25-54 demographic.

Network Performance: Week of March 2, 2026

Fox News averaged 3.113 million total viewers and 362,000 A25-54 viewers in primetime. This represents a 21% decrease in total viewers and a 25% drop in the demo compared to the previous week. In total day viewing, Fox News averaged 2.042 million total viewers and 220,000 A25-54 viewers, declining by 10% and 15% respectively. Despite these declines, Fox News remained the top-ranked basic cable network in total primetime and total day viewership.

MSNBC averaged 1.354 million total viewers and 160,000 A25-54 viewers during primetime, down 5% in total viewers and 4% in the demo from the prior week. Total day performance saw 796,000 total viewers and 91,000 demo viewers, a decrease of 6% and 4% respectively. MSNBC held second place in total primetime and total day viewership among all basic cable networks.

CNN averaged 1.046 million total primetime viewers and 220,000 A25-54 viewers, experiencing a 4% decline in viewers and an 8% drop in the demo compared to the previous week. Total day viewership was 724,000 total viewers and 135,000 demo viewers, down 1% in both categories. CNN ranked fourth in total primetime viewers and third in total day viewership.

Year-Over-Year Comparisons

Compared to the same week in 2025, viewership trends varied significantly:

• Fox News experienced year-over-year declines of 21% in total primetime viewers and 34% in the A25-54 demo. Total day viewership was down 3% and the demo declined by 21%.
• MSNBC saw substantial year-over-year gains, with a 15% increase in total primetime viewers and a 43% jump in the A25-54 demo. Total day viewership rose by 23% and the demo by 47%.
• CNN similarly posted year-over-year growth, with a 46% increase in total primetime viewers and a 32% rise in the A25-54 demo. Total day viewership increased by 54% and the demo by 55%.

Top-Performing Programs

Fox News dominated the list of most-watched cable news shows, securing 14 of the top 15 spots. The Five led with 4.519 million total viewers at 5 p.m. ET. MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show, airing only on Mondays at 9 p.m. ET, ranked ninth with 2.633 million total viewers.

Jesse Watters Primetime on Fox News was the most-watched program in the Adults 25-54 demo, averaging 454,000 viewers. MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show finished fourth in the demo with 395,000 viewers. CNN had three shows in the top 15, led by The Source with Kaitlan Collins, which ranked eleventh with 261,000 demo viewers.

Key Takeaways

• Overall cable news viewership is declining from recent peaks driven by the Middle East conflict.
• Fox News maintains its lead in total viewership but experienced the largest week-over-week drop.
• MSNBC and CNN saw year-over-year gains in viewership.
• Fox News programs continue to dominate the ratings charts.