Fox News viewership peaked at more than 5 million viewers during President Trump’s speech for the 4th of July.
Fox News
Fox News Channel had its best-ever ratings for a 4th of July, with viewership reaching 5.5 million viewers during President Trump’s speech, which aired from 11:15 to 11:45 p.m. ET. For the same period, Fox drew 817,000 viewers 25-54, the key demographic valued by national advertisers.
After Fox News, CNN’s coverage of Trump’s address was second with 1.2 million viewers and 303,000 viewers in the key demo, followed by MS NOW (381,000 total viewers and 70,000 viewers in the key demo), according to early ratings data compiled by Nielsen. Final ratings figures will be available later in the week.
WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 04: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks next to various historic American flags during “Salute to America 250” Fourth of July celebrations on the National Mall on July 04, 2026 in Washington, DC. Americans are celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary amidst an extreme heat wave bringing dangerous triple digit temperatures to much of the eastern United States. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
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Fox delivers 3.3 million viewers in prime time
Prime time coverage on Fox featured Bret Baier, Sean Hannity, Dana Perino, Harris Faulkner, and Brian Kilmeade, and drew an average total audience of 3.3 million viewers, followed by CBS broadcast (2 million viewers), CNN (1.2 million viewers) and MS NOW (317,000 viewers). In the key demo, CBS was first with 422,000 viewers, followed by FNC (360,000 viewers), CNN (237,000 viewers), and MS NOW (20,000 viewers).
On July 3, with the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding dominating cable news coverage, Fox News had the largest audience in prime time, with 2.2 million viewers, followed by MS NOW (907,000 viewers) and CNN (586,000 viewers). FNC also led in the key demo with 237,000 viewers, followed by CNN (91,000 viewers) and MS NOW (40,000 viewers).
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 4: Fireworks light up over the Brooklyn Bridge and Lower Manhattan during the Macy’s 4th of July fireworks show on July 4, 2026 in New York City. The annual fireworks show started earlier than originally scheduled due to severe weather in the area. (Photo by Vincent Alban/Getty Images)
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Severe weather drives viewers to cable news
On both July 3 and 4th, severe weather across much of the country, from intense heat to strong storms, sent many Americans to cable news. Total day ratings for July 3 (3 a.m. through 3 a.m. ET) show Fox News taking the largest audience, 1.7 million viewers, followed by MS NOW (643,000 viewers), and CNN (413,000 viewers).
In the key demo on the third, FNC was first with 175,000 viewers, followed by MS NOW (59,000 viewers) and CNN (51,000 viewers).
Viewership jumped on the 4th, with Fox News leading total day ratings with 2.2 million viewers, followed by CNN (586,000 viewers) and MS NOW (402,000 viewers).
In the key demo, FNC led with 266,000 viewers, with CNN taking second (104,000 viewers) and MS NOW trailing with just 40,000 viewers.