Fox News Viewership Slips Ahead of 2026 Midterms

In October 2026, Fox News recorded its lowest-rated month since December 2023. Preliminary Nielsen figures show the network averaged 1.1 million total-day viewers, a 27 percent decline from the same month a year earlier, and 98 000 viewers in the key 25-54 demographic, down 32 percent. The primetime audience fell 28 percent compared with the same period in 2025.

Variety Magazine

The decline occurs amid a broader shift away from traditional cable news toward digital platforms. Across the industry, viewers are migrating to services such as YouTube, where Fox News logged 3.8 billion video views through Oct. 27. Competitors MS NOW and CNN posted modest gains, reflecting heightened interest as the Nov 3 midterm elections approach.

The Straits Times

President Donald Trump’s approval rating recently slipped to a low of 32 percent, a factor analysts link to the network’s audience erosion.

The Independent

• Fox News: 2 million evening viewers (Sept 28 – Oct 25) ; primetime 1.68 million (down 28 % YoY) ; total-day 1.1 million (down 27 %).

Deadline Hollywood

• MS NOW: 1.16 million viewers (up 15 %); 925 000 primetime (up 14 %); 588 000 total-day (up 16 %).

Deadline Hollywood

• CNN: 644 000 viewers (up 16 %); 598 000 primetime (up 19 %); 402 000 total-day (up 3 %).

Deadline Hollywood

• 25-54 Demo: Fox 98 000 (down 33 %); MS NOW 62 000 (up 38 %); CNN 60 000 (up 2 %).

Deadline Hollywood

• “They live or die based on the president’s poll approval ratings and in general, the popularity of MAGA,” — Jon Klein, inc chief executive

The Straits Times

Sources differ on the precise magnitude of Fox’s audience loss. The Straitstimes article cites a 28 percent primetime decline over the four weeks before the midterms, while the Deadline and Variety reports focus on a 27 percent total-day decline for October. Additionally, Nielsen’s measurement methodology was revised in 2026, a change noted by the Straitstimes piece but not detailed in other outlets, leaving uncertainty about how the new metrics affect comparative ratings.

Variety Magazine

The Nov 3 midterm elections will test whether the ratings dip translates into reduced influence for Fox News among conservative voters. Analysts will watch post-election viewership trends to gauge whether the network can recover its audience share or if the shift toward digital platforms will become permanent.

The Independent