NBC Leads Election Night Ratings as CBS Trails Rivals
NBC averaged 6.52 million viewers during primetime election coverage on November 3, leading the six major networks and cable outlets measured in early Nielsen ratings. ABC was second with 4.91 million, followed by CNN at 3.93 million, MS NOW at 3.92 million and Fox News at 3.88 million. CBS had 2.63 million viewers, the lowest figure among the six.
The early ratings are based on fast national data and omit viewing outside the home and Nielsen’s big-data component. NBC was expected to retain its lead as figures are updated, while the close race among the cable channels could change order.
NBC also led in the 25-to-54 age group, averaging 2.8 million viewers. Its live stream centered on data analyst Steve Kornacki drew 29 million views across platforms, including 6.1 million on YouTube, according to NBC. The stream reached about 300,000 concurrent YouTube viewers at its peak.
Across the six outlets, the preliminary combined audience was 25.79 million. That already exceeds the final 25.43 million total across 12 outlets during the 2022 midterms, though it remains below the 36.11 million viewers recorded across 11 outlets in 2018. Further ratings updates are expected.
Democrats’ Midterm Surge Draws Millions to Election Coverage
A strong Democratic showing in the 2026 midterms brought a larger audience to election coverage than the 2022 midterms, with NBC drawing the biggest primetime crowd. The network averaged 6.52 million viewers on November 3, ahead of ABC’s 4.91 million and the closely grouped CNN, MS NOW and Fox News.
CBS, under Bari Weiss, drew 2.63 million viewers, the lowest total among the six outlets. Its coverage was led by Norah O’Donnell and Tony Dokoupil. The turnout for the election coverage came despite the upheaval and internal tensions at CBS that followed Weiss’ appointment and changes to 60 Minutes.
NBC’s lead extended to streaming. Its Kornacki Cam drew 29 million views across platforms, including 6.1 million on YouTube. CBS’ YouTube stream drew 6.4 million, while CNN’s streaming coverage had 23.5 million and MS NOW’s had 22 million, based on figures cited by analysts.
The six outlets’ preliminary total of 25.79 million viewers is already above the final 25.43 million recorded across 12 outlets in 2022. The early Nielsen figures exclude out-of-home viewing and a big-data component, so totals and the cable networks’ rankings may shift. The 2018 midterm record of 36.11 million viewers appears out of reach.
NBC Tops Election Ratings as CBS’s New Direction Struggles
The election-night audience delivered a clear verdict on the networks’ coverage: NBC drew 6.52 million primetime viewers, while CBS finished last with 2.63 million. ABC followed NBC at 4.91 million; CNN, MS NOW and Fox News were separated by just 50,000 viewers.
CBS’ poor showing came under Bari Weiss, installed as head of news after David Ellison acquired Paramount. Its election broadcast was led by Norah O’Donnell and Tony Dokoupil, but viewers largely went elsewhere as results came in. The gap was also evident online: CBS’ YouTube stream drew 6.4 million views, compared with 23.5 million for CNN and 22 million for MS NOW.
NBC’s success was not confined to television. Its Kornacki Cam, focused on analyst Steve Kornacki and his election data board, drew 29 million views across platforms, including 6.1 million on YouTube. NBC also led the 25-to-54 audience with 2.8 million viewers.
The six outlets together drew a preliminary 25.79 million viewers, above the final 2022 total of 25.43 million across 12 outlets. The initial Nielsen numbers leave out viewing beyond the home as well as the company’s large-scale data element. NBC is expected to hold its lead, while the tightly clustered cable networks could switch places as ratings are revised.
Reported by The Daily Beast, The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline, The Washington Examiner.
