What To Know
- Fox News saw significant year-over-year declines, dropping 19% in total viewers and 43% in the key demo across primetime.
- MS NOW was the only major network to grow its audience compared to June 2025.
- Strong sports competition from events like the NBA and NHL finals and the FIFA World Cup impacted all networks.
The cable news ratings for June 2026 are in, and while Fox News remained in the No. 1 spot in total viewers, President Trump‘s favorite network was down significantly compared to the same period last year.
According to AdWeek, citing Nielsen big data + panel numbers, Fox News averaged 2.26 million total viewers in primetime and 197,000 viewers in the coveted Adults 25-54 demographic for the month of June. In total day, the network averaged 1.451 million total viewers and 133,000 demo viewers.
Fox News was down 5 percent in total viewers and down 6 percent in the demo during primetime compared to May 2026. And it was a similar story across total day, with a 5 percent drop in total viewers and a 6 percent drop in the key demo.
The year-over-year declines were even more noticeable, with the network dropping 19 percent in total viewers and a massive 43 percent in the demo during primetime compared to June 2025. In total day, Fox News was down 15 percent in total viewers and 40 percent in the demo.
It should be noted that all networks faced strong sports competition in June, including the NBA and NHL finals and the start of the FIFA World Cup. However, despite this, one network actually grew its primetime numbers in both total viewers and the key demo.
MS NOW, which ranked second, averaged 1.015 million total viewers and 96,000 demo viewers in primetime in June. During total day, the network averaged 636,000 total viewers and 61,000 demo viewers.
Compared to last month, MS NOW was up 8 percent in total viewers and up 3 percent in the demo during primetime. Across total day, the network gained 7 percent in total viewers and was flat in the key demo.
Year over year, MS NOW grew 6 percent in total viewers and 1 percent in the demo during primetime compared to June 2025. It was also up 7 percent in total viewers and 2 percent in the demo during total day, making it the only network with growth in this yearly comparison.
CNN, meanwhile, averaged 610,000 total viewers and 97,000 demo viewers in primetime for the month of June. In total day, the network averaged 436,000 total viewers and 61,000 demo viewers.
Compared to May 2026, CNN was down 4 percent in total viewers and down 12 percent in the demo during primetime. The network also dropped 5 percent in total viewers and 14 percent in the demo across total day.
CNN was also down compared to June 2025, with a 5 percent decline in total viewers and a 28 percent decline in the demo in primetime. In total day, it was down 2 percent in total viewers and 27 percent in the demo.
Across the other networks, NewsNation averaged 130,000 total viewers and 12,000 demo viewers in primetime, with Cuomo as the network’s top show with 222,000 total viewers and 22,000 demo viewers.
Varney & Company landed in the top spot in total viewers for Fox Business with 283,000 and tied with Kudlow for the number one spot in the demo with 12,000 viewers.
CNBC’s Fast Money Halftime Report was the network’s most-watched program with 283,000 total viewers and 70,000 demo viewers.
Meanwhile, Rob Schmitt Tonight was Newsmax’s most-watched show in total viewers with 298,000, while Carl Higbie Frontline landed the top spot in the demo with 17,000 viewers.