Fox News Ratings Plummet 16%
CEO Lachlan Murdoch blames viewer fatigue as total-day viewership declines 16% and 25-54 demographic drops24% in Q3 2026, despite $300 million midterm ad revenue boost
Fox News is experiencing a significant decline in ratings, with a 16% drop in total-day viewership and a 24% decline in the 25-54 demographic in the third quarter of 2026. According to CEO Lachlan Murdoch, this decline is due to viewer fatigue, where viewers have become overwhelmed by the constant stream of news and are watching less television overall.
The decline in ratings is evident in the numbers, with Fox News averaging 1.1 million total viewers in October, down 27% from the previous year. The key 25-54 demographic also saw a significant drop, with 98,000 viewers in October, a 32% decline from the previous year. This puts Fox News on track to post its lowest-rated month in total-day viewers since December 2023.
Despite the decline in ratings, Fox News still dominates the sector, beating CNN and MS NOW combined. Murdoch noted that Fox News' viewers are not switching to other news channels, but rather watching less television overall. The company has seen this trend before and has a playbook to navigate it.
The midterm elections have provided a significant boost to Fox Corp.'s advertising revenue, with $50 million earned from national networks, $250 million from local stations, and $50 million from Tubi. This competitive landscape has made Fox a major beneficiary, despite the decline in Fox News' ratings.
## What it means The decline in Fox News' ratings is a significant issue for the company, but it is not unprecedented. Murdoch has acknowledged that the company has traveled this road before and is confident that they can turn things around. The 2028 election cycle will bring new candidates and storylines, which may help to revitalize viewership. However, for now, Fox News will need to navigate the next few months and find ways to re-engage its fatigued viewers.
## Context The decline in TV viewers overall has contributed to the drop in Fox News' ratings, but the company's double-digit decline is a cause for concern. As the media landscape continues to evolve, Fox News will need to adapt and find new ways to engage its audience. The company's ability to dominate the sector despite the decline in ratings is a testament to its strong brand and loyal viewer base. However, the decline in ratings is a reminder that even the most successful media companies must continually evolve and innovate to stay ahead.
