FOX News Channel Achieves Record Ratings in May Amid Midterm Elections
FOX NEWS CHANNEL OUTPACES ABC NOTCHING HIGHEST RATED MAY DURING MIDTERM ELECTION YEAR IN NETWORK HISTORY
Image: Benzinga
In May 2026, FOX News Channel (FNC) surpassed ABC and ESPN in viewership, averaging 2.8 million viewers in weekday primetime, marking its highest-rated May during a midterm election year. FNC's 'The Five' was the top-rated cable news show with 3.6 million viewers, while CBS struggled with its lowest ratings in history.
- 01FNC averaged 2.8 million viewers in weekday primetime, surpassing ABC's 2.7 million.
- 02'The Five' secured 3.6 million viewers, making it the most-watched cable news program.
- 03CBS Evening News fell below 4 million viewers for the second consecutive month.
- 04FNC commanded nearly 60% of the cable news audience share across total day and primetime.
- 05FNC's 'Jesse Watters Primetime' attracted 3.1 million viewers, solidifying its primetime leadership.
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In May 2026, FOX News Channel (FNC) solidified its position as a leader in television ratings, achieving an average of 2.8 million viewers in weekday primetime, surpassing both ABC and ESPN during a critical midterm election year. FNC's flagship program, 'The Five,' led the cable news sector with 3.6 million viewers, while 'Jesse Watters Primetime' followed closely with 3.1 million viewers. The network's dominance extended to total day viewership, where it captured nearly 60% of the cable news audience share, further establishing its status as America's leading single source of news, as confirmed by a recent New York Times/Siena poll. In stark contrast, CBS faced significant declines, with its evening news program falling below 4 million viewers for the second month in a row, and ABC recorded its lowest-rated May in over two decades. FNC's continued success reflects its broad appeal across demographics, including significant viewership among Asian and Hispanic audiences.
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FNC's strong ratings may influence advertising revenue and programming decisions across the cable news landscape.
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