Full Breakdown
Fox News Surpasses CBS in Primetime Viewership for February 2026
2/26/2026, 8:14:25 AM
Overview of Viewership Performance
In February 2026, Fox News Channel (FNC) achieved a significant milestone by surpassing CBS in primetime viewership, marking one of its strongest monthly performances since March 2025. FNC averaged 2.6 million total viewers during primetime, compared to CBS's 2.4 million, which represents CBS's lowest February viewership since 2000. This performance is notable as it is the first instance in 2026 where FNC has led CBS in both total viewers and the key demographic of adults aged 25-54.
Key Programming Highlights
FNC's success was driven by several of its flagship programs. "Special Report with Bret Baier" averaged over 3.1 million viewers, making it the most-watched program in its time slot. Additionally, "The Five" secured over 4 million viewers, while "Jesse Watters Primetime" led all primetime shows with 3.4 million viewers. FNC's late-night programming also performed well, with "Gutfeld!" drawing over 3 million viewers, outperforming competitors like ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" and CBS's "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert."
In the morning segment, "FOX & Friends" maintained its status as the top cable news morning program, averaging 1.4 million viewers and outperforming both CNN and CBS Mornings across major markets.
Audience Demographics and Trends
FNC's viewership growth is reflected in its performance among key demographics. The network averaged 316,000 viewers in the 25-54 demographic during weekday primetime, an increase from previous months. Overall, FNC's total day viewership reached 1.719 million, with an 18% increase in the 25-54 demographic compared to January 2026.
Criticism & Opposition
Despite FNC's strong performance, CBS experienced significant declines, with its flagship programs like "CBS Evening News" and "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" registering historic low audiences. Critics may argue that this decline reflects broader trends in viewership preferences, as audiences increasingly gravitate towards cable news networks like FNC.
Official Statements & Responses
Fox News has highlighted its dominance in both cable and broadcast news, emphasizing its ability to attract viewers across various demographics. The network's leadership has expressed confidence in its programming strategy, which has consistently outperformed competitors in key time slots.
Verbatim Quotes
- “in multiple key cities. FOX NEWS CHANNEL DELIVERS HIGHEST-RATED NON-ELECTION YEAR EVER TO RIVAL BROADCAST NETWORKS Daytime programming continued to gain momentum with” — Fox News Channel
Conclusion
Fox News Channel's performance in February 2026 underscores its growing influence in the television news landscape, particularly as it continues to attract viewers away from traditional broadcast networks like CBS. The ongoing competition between these networks will likely shape future programming strategies and audience engagement efforts.
