Fox News bests MS NOW, CNN as most-watched cable news network on 2026 midterm election night
Fox News Channel was America's most-watched cable news network Tuesday night as results from the 2026 midterm elections rolled in.
According to the final Nielsen election night rating data, Fox News bested both CNN and MS NOW with an average of 4.3 million total viewers during primetime.
CNN came in second with 4.1 million total average viewers. MS NOW marked the network's first major election night since its rebranding by finishing third with 3.7 million total average viewers.
FOX, USVETS RENEW 'MAKE CAMO YOUR CAUSE' CAMPAIGN DEDICATED TO ENDING VETERAN HOMELESSNESS
Fox News also thrived in the digital landscape on election night. Fox News Digital had double-digit spikes in key metrics across the board during coverage of the midterms.
Fox News also registered 3.3 million social media interactions across social media platforms, including Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok, according to Emplifi and Comscore Social. Fox News also reached 15.4 million YouTube video views, according to Emplifi.
FOX NEWS CONTINUES CABLE NEWS LEAD OVER MS NOW, CNN IN OCTOBER VIEWERSHIP
"Fox News Democracy 26" was co-anchored by Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum. They were joined throughout the night by Dana Perino, Brit Hume, Harold Ford Jr., Bill Hemmer, Sandra Smith, Laura Ingraham, Jesse Watters, Sean Hannity and other Fox News personalities.
President Donald Trump also called in and spoke with Baier and MacCallum with his reaction to the midterm results.
Democrats had a historic night, retaking both the House and Senate in what's been widely described as a blue tsunami.
While recapturing the House was expected, Democrats stunned with Senate pickups in states like South Carolina, Texas, Kansas and Iowa.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., is poised to become the first Black speaker of the House. It is unclear whether Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., will have enough votes in his caucus to reclaim the title of Senate majority leader after several newly elected Democrats previously said they won't back him.