NBC Leads Election Night Ratings as CBS Trails RivalsDemocrats’ Midterm Surge Draws Millions to Election CoverageNBC Tops Election Ratings as CBS’s New Direction Struggles
NBC drew the largest primetime audience among six major news outlets covering the 2026 midterms on November 3, while CBS finished last. Preliminary ratings put total viewership above the 2022 midterm election night.NBC led election-night ratings as viewers followed the Democrats’ strong showing on November 3. CBS finished last among six major outlets in preliminary Nielsen figures.NBC led election-night viewing on November 3, while CBS placed last among six major outlets. Preliminary ratings show more viewers watched than during the 2022 midterms.