This is TVNewser’s basic cable network ranker and cable news report for the week of September 7, 2026.

All three cable news networks experienced week-to-week declines in total viewers and the Adults 25-54 demo during primetime and total day. However, Fox News saw marginal primetime drops in both measured demographics when compared with its competitors. On the other hand, MS NOW suffered the largest viewership loss of the week across all measurements.

Typically, the week after the Labor Day holiday weekend brings an uptick in viewership as audiences return to their post-summer routines, but that was not the case during the week. 

NETWORKS:

According to Nielsen big data + panel for the week of Sept. 7, Fox News averaged 1.783 million total viewers and 163,000 A25-54 viewers during primetime. The network slipped -1% in total viewers and -2% in the demo compared with the prior week (the week beginning August 31). 

During total day viewing, Fox News averaged 1.115 million total viewers and 105,000 A25-54 viewers. Based on its average from the previous week’s measurements, the network declined by -7% in total viewers and  -10% in the demo.

Fox News slipped to second place in total primetime viewership behind ESPN and was also the No. 2 network in demo viewership among all basic cable networks. During total day, it remained first in total viewers and second in the total day demo.

MS NOW averaged 689,000 total viewers and 55,000 viewers in the A25-54 demo for the week that just concluded. The network was down by -16% in total viewers and -38% in the demo compared with its primetime average the prior week.

During total day, MS NOW averaged 489,000 total viewers and 43,000 demo viewers. It declined -8% in total viewers and -20% in the demo compared with the network’s average the prior week.

Among all basic cable networks, MS NOW remained third in total primetime viewers and was 22nd in the demo, tied with GSN and the NFL Network. It also ranked third in total viewers and 14th in the total day demo, tied with GSN. 

CNN averaged 490,000 total primetime viewers and 77,000 demo viewers. It fell by -5% in total viewers and -21% in the demo compared to the previous week. 

During total day, the network had 349,000 total viewers and 49,000 viewers in the demo. For CNN, this represented a -5% decline in total viewers and -11% in the demo during this daypart.

Among all cable networks, CNN jumped two spots to fifth in total viewers and was 14th in the demo during primetime, tied with Adult Swim. It remained at No. 4 in total day among total viewers and was No. 9 in the demo, tied with FX. 

When looking at these networks’ performance during the same period a year ago, which coincided with the death of Charlie Kirk:

• During primetime, Fox News was down -42% in total viewers and -61% in the A25-54 demo. During total day, the network was down -39% in total viewers and -55% in the demo.
• MS NOW recorded declines of -21% in total viewers and -27% in the demo. During total day, the network was down by -9% in total viewers and -12% in the demo.
• In primetime, CNN fell by -20% in total viewers and -31% in the demo. During total day, it was down -20% in total viewers and -35% in the demo.

PROGRAMMING:

Fox News held 14 of the 15 spots among the week’s most-watched cable news shows, with The Five leading with 2.796 million total viewers at 5 p.m. ET. MS NOW was represented in the chart by the 5 p.m. ET edition of Deadline: White House with Nicolle Wallace. It airs weekdays and averaged 992,000 total viewers, ranking No. 14.

The Five remained in the pole position in the Adults 25-54 demo, averaging 279,000 viewers. Once again, Fox News had 14 of the 15 top spots in the demo, with CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip, airing five nights a week at 10 p.m. ET, finishing with 123,000 viewers and taking the No. 13 position.

September  7, 2026 (Nielsen Big Data + Panel):

Prime Time

Total Day