Fox News Ratings Slump on Bleak Republican Election Night 2026

Fox News ratings slump on a bleak election night for Republicans, as preliminary Nielsen data shows the network trailing broadcast and cable competitors. The midterm elections delivered a huge disappointment for the GOP, with Democrats taking control of both the US House and Senate. According to preliminary “Fast Nationals” ratings from Nielsen, Fox News averaged 3.882 million total viewers between 8 and 11pm, far behind NBC (6.519 million) and ABC (4.906 million), and even trailing CNN (3.927 million) and MS Now (3.922 million). The network did beat CBS News, which drew 2.629 million viewers.

These numbers are preliminary and likely to be revised upward when final audience data is released on Thursday. Still, the gap is significant for a network that often leads in viewership on election night. In 2022, Fox News averaged 7.422 million viewers during election coverage, nearly double this year’s preliminary figure. Overall, the big six television networks averaged 25.784 million total viewers during prime-time election coverage, up from 22.215 million in 2022. So while overall election viewership increased, Fox News lost a substantial share.

Why the Fox News Ratings Slump Matters

The drop in Fox News ratings is not just a one-night anomaly. It reflects a broader trend of viewers tuning out as Donald Trump reaches historic levels of unpopularity. Last month, the network’s viewership was down 27% compared with the same period a year earlier. This decline comes at a critical time for the network, which faces increased competition from other conservative outlets and streaming platforms.

For Republicans, the election results were a major setback. Losing both the House and Senate gives Democrats control of Congress and the ability to block Trump’s legislative agenda. The Fox News ratings slump suggests that some conservative viewers may be disillusioned with the party and its leader. Whether this translates into long-term changes in media consumption habits remains to be seen.

What the Numbers Reveal About Viewer Behavior

The preliminary ratings show that Fox News not only lost to broadcast networks but also to cable rivals CNN and MS Now. This is unusual, as Fox News typically dominates cable news ratings. The network’s average of 3.882 million viewers was just below CNN’s 3.927 million and MS Now’s 3.922 million—a statistical tie, but symbolically important.

Overall, the big six networks saw an increase in total viewers compared to 2022, indicating that interest in the midterms was high. However, Fox News failed to capitalize on that interest. The network’s viewership was less than half of its 2022 election night average. This suggests that some of its usual audience may have switched to other networks or tuned out entirely.

• Fox News averaged 3.882 million viewers on election night, trailing NBC, ABC, CNN, and MS Now.
• The network’s 2022 election night average was 7.422 million viewers—nearly double this year’s preliminary figure.
• Overall, the big six networks averaged 25.784 million viewers, up from 22.215 million in 2022.
• Fox News viewership was down 27% last month compared with the same period a year earlier.
• Preliminary numbers are likely to be revised upward when final data is released on Thursday.

How Fox News Compares to Other Networks

The table below shows the preliminary total viewer averages for each network during prime-time election coverage (8–11pm).

Fox News did manage to beat CBS News, but that is little consolation for a network that usually leads the pack. The fact that CNN and MS Now, which have smaller typical audiences, edged out Fox News is a stark indicator of the night’s unusual dynamics.

The Broader Context of Fox News’s Decline

The election night ratings are part of a larger pattern. Fox News has seen its audience shrink in recent months as Trump’s popularity has waned. The network’s viewership was down 27% last month compared with the same period a year earlier. This decline is likely due to a combination of factors, including news fatigue, competition from other outlets, and disillusionment with the Republican Party.

Trump’s unpopularity is a key driver. As the face of the Republican Party, his approval ratings have hit historic lows. This may be causing some conservative viewers to turn away from Fox News, which has long been closely associated with Trump and his agenda. The network’s challenge is to retain its core audience while possibly broadening its appeal. The background to this story is set out in Trump Blames Fox News for Republican Midterm Losses. A related thread runs through Trump and Allies Target Fox News Over Midterm Coverage. Earlier coverage in Seth Meyers Slams Trump's Approval Ratings: Worse Than Bush shows how the argument developed.

What to Watch Next

Final ratings data will be released on Thursday and could show higher numbers for Fox News. However, even with an upward revision, the network is unlikely to close the gap with NBC and ABC. The bigger question is whether this election night slump is a temporary blip or a sign of a more permanent shift in viewer habits. A closer look at the same subject appears in Trump's Iran War Faces Pushback from Fox News Commentators. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Fox News Hosts Push Back on Trump's Iran War Strategy. The same theme surfaces in Fox News Pushes Back on Trump's Iran War Strategy, which takes a different angle.

Fox News has faced criticism from within conservative circles, including from Trump himself. Trump has blamed Fox News for Republican midterm losses, a claim that could further alienate viewers. Meanwhile, the network’s coverage of Trump’s Iran war has faced pushback from Fox News commentators, highlighting internal tensions. Context on how this played out before sits in Fox News Ousts Maria Bartiromo: What It Means for Media. A companion piece, Trump's Iran War Faces Fox News Pushback: Media Analysis, approaches the same subject from another angle.

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