NBC News Leads Midterm Election Coverage Ratings
NBC News drew the largest average audience for midterm election coverage, as Democrats took control of both the House and the Senate.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections
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NBC News averaged 6.52 million total viewers for midterm election coverage, ahead of ABC News at 4.91 million, CNN at 3.93 million, MS NOW at 3.92 million and Fox News at 3.88 million. The ratings came as Democrats took control of the House and the Senate in the midterm elections.
Why it matters
The viewership figures show how audiences turned to broadcast and cable networks for results from the midterm elections, which shifted control of both chambers of Congress. The rankings may change as final numbers are tallied.
NBC News averaged 6.52 million total viewers for midterm coverage, while ABC News averaged 4.91 million, CNN 3.93 million, MS NOW 3.92 million and Fox News 3.88 million. Final rankings may change as the numbers are tallied.
The players
NBC News
NBC News is the news division of the NBC television network, which broadcast the midterm election coverage that drew the largest average audience.
ABC News
ABC News is the news division of the American Broadcasting Company, which averaged the second-highest audience for midterm election coverage.
CNN
CNN is a cable news network owned by Warner Bros. Discovery that carried midterm election coverage in the ratings comparison.
Fox News
Fox News is a cable news channel owned by Fox Corporation that carried midterm election coverage in the ratings comparison.
The details
Democrats flipped Senate seats in Iowa, Kansas, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina and Texas on the way to taking control of the Senate and the House. Television audiences followed the results across broadcast and cable networks throughout election night.
Timeline
November 3, 2026: Midterm elections were held, with Democrats winning control of the House and the Senate.
Season Trajectory
Election-night ratings are typically compared against prior midterm cycles to show audience patterns for political coverage. This year's rankings place NBC News first among the five networks reported.
Viewers who followed midterm coverage on broadcast or cable saw different results depending on the network. The final ratings figures may change as the viewership data is fully tallied.
The takeaway
Election-night viewing showed audiences relied on several networks for midterm results, with NBC News drawing the largest average audience. Readers following the outcome can compare coverage across outlets as final numbers are reported.
Further reading
For more on how the results were decided, see Elections coverage across the country.
Source note: This article includes information reported by TheWrap.
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