Fox News Dominates Cable Ratings in Q3 2026, "The Five" Remains Top Show
The network achieved significant viewership numbers, outperforming competitors and maintaining its lead in key programming slots.
Fox News Channel concluded the third quarter of 2026 as the dominant force in cable news, averaging 2.4 million weekday primetime viewers. This figure surpasses CBS in weekday primetime viewership and collectively exceeds the combined audiences of MS NOW and CNN during the same period. The network also led in total day viewers, being the only to surpass the one-million viewer benchmark with an average of 1.3 million.
"The Five" continued its reign as the number one show in cable news, marking its 20th consecutive quarter with an average of 3.1 million viewers. This consistent performance places it ahead of other cable news programs. The success of "The Five" contributed to Fox News' overall strong showing, with several other programs also ranking highly.
Following "The Five," Fox News programs "Jesse Watters Primetime," "Gutfeld!," "Special Report with Bret Baier," "Hannity," and "The Ingraham Angle" secured the next five spots in cable news viewership. This near-sweep of the top rankings highlights the network's broad appeal across its primetime lineup.
In the advertiser-coveted demographic of adults aged 25-54, Fox News also led. The network averaged 120,000 total day demo viewers and 183,000 during primetime. "The Five" led this category as well, averaging 289,000 viewers.
The network's daytime programming also demonstrated strength, with shows such as "America’s Newsroom with Bill Hemmer and Dana Perino," "The Faulkner Focus," "Outnumbered," "America Reports with Sandra Smith and John Roberts," Martha MacCallum’s "The Story," and "The Will Cain Show" contributing to the network's success. "FOX & Friends" remained the most-watched morning show in cable news with 1.1 million viewers.
Weekend programming also saw significant viewership, with "Saturday in America with Kayleigh McEnany" drawing 1.4 million viewers and "Sunday Morning Futures" averaging the same number, securing the top spots for their respective days. "Fox News @ Night with Trace Gallagher" averaged 1.3 million viewers, leading its timeslot. "Gutfeld!" reportedly beat all broadcast and late-night television offerings.
Fox News is reportedly on pace for its highest-rated midterm election year in network history, based on total day viewership. The data for these ratings was provided by Nielsen Media Research.