Fox News reached more than 5 million viewers during President Trump’s Fourth of July address.
Fox News achieved its highest‑ever ratings for a Fourth of July broadcast, attracting 5.5 million viewers during President Trump’s speech, which aired from 11:15 p.m. to 11:45 p.m. ET. In the key 25‑54 demographic, the network captured 817,000 viewers, the segment most valued by national advertisers.
According to early Nielsen data, CNN ranked second with 1.2 million viewers and 303,000 viewers in the key demographic, while MS NOW garnered 381,000 total viewers and 70,000 in the key demo. Final figures will be released 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 Records 3.3 Million Prime‑Time Viewers
Prime‑time programming on Fox, anchored by Bret Baier, Sean Hannity, Dana Perino, Harris Faulkner and Brian Kilmeade, delivered an average audience of 3.3 million viewers, surpassing CBS (2 million), CNN (1.2 million) and MS NOW (317,000). In the key demographic, CBS led with 422,000 viewers, followed by Fox (360,000), CNN (237,000) and MS NOW (20,000).
On July 3, as the 250th anniversary of American independence dominated cable news, Fox News drew the largest prime‑time audience with 2.2 million viewers, ahead of MS NOW (907,000) and CNN (586,000). In the key demographic, Fox led with 237,000 viewers, followed by CNN (91,000) and MS NOW (40,000).
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 Fuels Cable‑News Viewership
Across July 3 and 4, extreme heat and storms prompted many Americans to turn to cable news. July 3 total‑day ratings (3 a.m. to 3 a.m. ET) placed Fox News at the top with 1.7 million viewers, followed by MS NOW (643,000) and CNN (413,000).
In the key demographic on July 3, Fox led with 175,000 viewers, then MS NOW (59,000) and CNN (51,000).
Viewership surged on July 4, when Fox News again topped total‑day ratings with 2.2 million viewers, followed by CNN (586,000) and MS NOW (402,000).
In the key demographic, Fox again led with 266,000 viewers, while CNN posted 104,000 and MS NOW 40,000.