Fox News again topped the ratings for September and the third quarter, although its viewership was lower than the same period in 2025.
MS Now saw gains in the most recent data, and CNN also showed gains in September and some day parts of the quarter.
In primetime in September, Fox News averaged 1.72 million viewers, down 32% from the same month in 2025. MS Now averaged 839,000, up 3.6% from a year ago. CNN posted 539,000, down 0.7% from 2025. In the 25-54 demo, Fox News averaged 156,000 viewers, down 44.3% from a year ago, compared to 90,000 for CNN, up 3.4%, and 79,000 for MSNow, up 16.2%.
In total days in September, Fox News averaged 1.11 million, down 31.1% from 2025. MS Now averaged 544,000, up 6.7%, and CNN averaged 373,000, down 7%. In the 25-54 demo, Fox News averaged 106,000, down 40.8%, while CNN averaged 53,000, down 14.5%, and MS Now averaged 52,000, up 15.6%.
In third quarter primetime, Fox News averaged 2.06 million viewers, down 17% from a year earlier, compared to 930,000 for MSNow, up 16%, and 607,000 for CNN, up 12.8%. In the 25-54 demo, Fox News averaged 183,000 viewers, down 24.7%, while CNN had 101,000, up 16.1%, and MS Now had 84,000 viewers, up 27.3%.
Overall in the third quarter, Fox News averaged 1.32 million, down 15.8% compared to 2025, while MS Now averaged 592,000, up 20.3%, and CNN averaged 426,000, up 7.6%. In the 25-54 demo, Fox News averaged 120,000, down 24.5%, while CNN averaged 61,000, flat, and MS Now averaged 56,000, up 36.6%.
Fox News’ Five was the top cable news show in September with an average of 2.79 million viewers, followed by jesse waters primetime With 2.4 million, Gutfeld! With 2.12 million, Hannity with 2.06 million more Special report with Brett Baer With 2.04 million.
25-54 in demo, Five was on top with 273,000, followed by Gutfeld! with 214,000, jesse waters primetime with 212,000, Hannity 204,000 and with MS Now rachel maddow show With 186,000.
Each network reported certain aspects of the data. Fox News said they are on track to have their highest rated midterm year ever. MS Now drove double-digit growth in viewership.
Among other networks, NewsNation said primetime viewership grew 12% in the third quarter and 8% among adults 25–54. NewsNation averaged 120,000 viewers in primetime and 13,000 viewers in the demo during the third quarter.
Newsmax averaged 185,000 in primetime and 9,000 in the demo for the quarter.
MS Now’s top rated show in September was rachel maddow showAveraged 1.79 million viewers. was CNN’s top show newsnight, averaged 610,000, and NewsNation’s CuomoAverage 167,000. was Newsmax’s top show rob schmidt tonightAverage 305,000.