Cable News Ratings: Fox News & MSNBC Surge - Week of Jan 26, 2026

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Recent data reveals a significant uptick in cable news viewership, driven by major national events including the death of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, ongoing ICE-related unrest, and severe winter weather. The week of January 26, 2026, saw both Fox News and MS NOW experience double-digit growth, with MS NOW achieving an impressive over 60% jump in primetime viewership among the 25-54 demographic.

Why it matters

The surge in cable news viewership highlights the public's increasing reliance on these networks for information and analysis during times of crisis and national debate. However, the growing use of AI-generated imagery in news reporting raises concerns about the integrity of visual content and the potential for manipulation.

The details

MS NOW's 'The Rachel Maddow Show' outperformed Fox News' 'Hannity' on Monday, securing the top spot in the 9 p.m. ET hour with 2.668 million total viewers and 345,000 viewers in the key 25-54 demographic. Despite MS NOW's gains, Fox News continues to lead in overall primetime viewership, averaging 2.565 million total viewers and 245,000 in the 25-54 demo. CNN also saw an increase in viewership, with a 22% rise in total primetime viewers and a 37% increase in the 25-54 demo compared to the previous week.

• The week of January 26, 2026 saw the viewership surge.
• On Monday, MS NOW's 'The Rachel Maddow Show' outperformed Fox News' 'Hannity' in the 9 p.m. ET hour.

What’s next

The use of AI-generated imagery in news reporting will likely continue to be a topic of discussion, as news organizations work to develop robust verification protocols and maintain the integrity of visual content.