Fox News viewership falls to lowest levels since 2023
Preliminary Nielsen data show Fox News recorded its lowest total-day audience in October 2026, with significant declines in key advertising demographics.
Fox News recorded a sharp decline in viewership for October 2026, according to preliminary Nielsen ratings obtained by Status. The network averaged 1.1 million total-day viewers, marking its lowest month since December 2023. In the 25-54 age group, the audience fell to about 98,000 viewers, the smallest figure for the demographic in 25 years, placing the network third among its peers.
Overall, the total audience dropped 27 percent and the 25-54 demographic fell 32 percent compared with October of the previous year. While Fox News remains the only cable network to exceed one million total-day viewers for the month and stays ahead of ESPN in overall cable ratings, the decline may affect Republican campaign strategies ahead of upcoming elections.
Prime-time programming (8 p.m. to 11 p.m.) also saw reduced numbers, with an average of 2 million viewers, down 28 percent year over year, and a 36 percent drop in the key 25-54 demographic to 183,000 viewers. Morning show "Fox & Friends" recorded its lowest total-day audience since July 2015 and its lowest 25-54 viewership since June 2001.
Competing networks reported gains; MS NOW increased its daytime audience by 16 percent to 588,000 viewers, while CNN saw a 3 percent rise to 402,000 viewers.
"FoxNews is spending far too much time putting on the OPPONENTS of Republican Party Candidates, people that love our Country, and have Great Policies and Ideas," President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social, criticizing the network's coverage of Democratic candidates.
"Trump doesn’t rate anymore," an anonymous Fox News host told CNN, suggesting internal decisions reflect audience fatigue.
The network has since aired a recent Texas rally featuring President Trump live, and Fox News declined to comment on the Nielsen data.