Fox News Passes NBC, ABC, CBS During Weekday Prime

FOX News Channel (FNC) concluded the week of July 13th with 2.9 million weekday primetime viewers and 293,000 viewers in the 25-54 demo, dominating NBC (2.5 million viewers), ABC (2.4 million viewers) and CBS (2.1 million viewers) according to Nielsen Media Research Big Data + Panel. 

In Monday – Sunday primetime, FNC notched 2.5 million viewers, and in Monday – Sunday total day, FNC saw 1.5 million viewers. Markedly, CBS Evening News averaged 3.8 million total viewers, posting its second lowest-rated week since Tony Dokoupil took helm – and its third consecutive week below 4 million viewers. In the 25–54 demo, the program averaged 471,000 viewers, delivering its eighth consecutive week below 600,000 viewers. CBS Mornings, meanwhile, delivered its lowest-rated week in program history in total viewers and 25-54 demo. It saw viewership decline by 13% percent to deliver 1,591,000 viewers as FOX & Friends grew 4% with 1,460,000 viewers, narrowing the gap to just 131,000 viewers.

Marking its 15th anniversary, The Five led all of cable news, clinching 3.4 million viewers and 316,000 in the 25-54 demo. Since its launch in 2011, the program has increased its audience by 154%. Doubling its viewership during its first decade on air, the program now averages nearly 3.8 million viewers year-to-date – making it the number one program in cable news and the top non-sports show in cable.

During the 6 PM/ET hour, Special Report with Bret Baier claimed 2.6 million viewers and 221,000 in the 25-54 demo. At 7 PM/ET, The Ingraham Angle posted 2.5 million viewers and 226,000 in the 25-54 demo. At 8 PM/ET, Jesse Watters Primetime drew 3.2 million viewers and 305,000 in the 25-54 demo. At 9 PM/ET, Hannity captured 3.1 million viewers and led the 25-54 demo with 344,000 viewers.

FNC’s Gutfeld! (10 PM/ET) dominated the late-night landscape, securing 2.6 million total viewers, beating out NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon (1.4 million viewers), CBS' Comics Unleashed (806,000 viewers) and NBC's Late Night with Seth Meyers (799,000 viewers). Notably, ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! posted its lowest-rated week of 2026, averaging 1.4 million total viewers and 192,000 viewers in the 25–54 demo.

ABC's WNT Dominates Broadcast Network News

For the 14th consecutive week, “World News Tonight with David Muir” stood as the No. 1 program in Total Viewers (8.476 million) on all of broadcast and cable (excluding sports) during the week of July 13, 2026, based on Live+Same Day Big Data Plus Panel Program Ratings from Nielsen Media Research.

• “World News Tonight with David Muir” ranked as the No. 1 newscast in all of broadcast and cable in Total Viewers (8.476 million), Adults 25-54 (1.073 million) and Adults 18-49 (842,000).
• “World News Tonight” outdelivered “NBC Nightly News” (6.684 million, 1.002 million and 772,000, respectively) in Total Viewers (+27%/+1.792 million), Adults 25-54 (+7%/+71,000) and Adults 18-49 (+9%/+70,000).
• For the third straight week, “World News Tonight” improved week to week across the board: Total Viewers (+2%/+185,000 – 8.476 million vs. 8.291 million), Adults 25-54 (+1%/+15,000 –1.073 million vs. 1.058 million) and Adults 18-49 (+8%/+64,000 –842,000 vs. 778,000). “World News Tonight” hit a 3-month high in Total Viewers, a 4-month high in Adults 25-54 and a 6-month high in Adults 18-49 — since weeks of 4/20/26, 3/23/26 and 2/19/26, respectively.
• “World News Tonight” turned in double-digit gains year to year across the board: Total Viewers (+13%/+984,000 – 8.476 million vs. 7.492 million), Adults 25-54 (+11%/+108,000 –1.073 million vs. 965,000) and Adults 18-49 (+23%/+157,000 –842,000 vs. 685,000).
• “World News Tonight” (8.476 million, 1.073 million and 842,000, respectively) beat “CBS Evening News” (3.754 million, 472,000 and 309,000, respectively) by triple digits in Total Viewers (+126%/+4.722 million), Adults 25-54 (+127%/+601,000) and Adults 18-49 (+172%/+533,000).
• “World News Tonight” widened its lead over “CBS Evening News” versus the previous week in Total Viewers (+5% – 4.722 million vs. 4.503 million), Adults 25-54 (+7% – 601,000 vs. 561,000) and Adults 18-49 (+40% – 533,000 vs. 382,000), scoring its largest Adults 18-49 lead in nearly 4 1/2 years — since w/o 2/28/22.
• “World News Tonight” increased its margins over “CBS Evening News” year to year in Total Viewers (+25% – 4.722 million vs. 3.782 million), Adults 25-54 (+14% – 601,000 vs. 527,000) and Adults 18-49 (+42% – 533,000 vs. 375,000),

ABC's GMA Ranks Tops In Total Viewers

“Good Morning America” ranked as the No. 1 morning newscast in Total Viewers (2.837 million) for the second week in a row during the week of July 13, 2026, based on Live+Same Day Big Data Plus Panel Program Ratings from Nielsen Media Research. “GMA” outdelivered NBC’s “Today” (2.744 million) by 93,000, more than tripling its lead versus the previous week (+288%; vs. +24,000) to its largest in 9 months — since w/o 10/13/26.

• “GMA” improved week to week in Total Viewers (+1% – 2.837 million vs. 2.809 million), Adults 25-54 (+10% – 458,000 vs. 425,000) and Adults 18-49 (+12% – 326,000 vs. 290,000), standing as the only morning newscast to build on the previous week. In addition, “GMA” hit 5-week highs in overall viewers and in the key Adult news demo — since w/o 6/8/26.
• “GMA” saw increases on the same week last year in Total Viewers (+8% – 2.837 million vs. 2.626 million), Adults 25-54 (+9% – 458,000 vs. 422,000) and Adults 18-49 (+27% – 326,000 vs. 256,000).
• “GMA” narrowed its margins with “Today” by double digits compared to the previous week in both Adults 25-54 (-48% – 95,000 vs. 183,000) and Adults 18-49 (42% – 56,000 vs. 96,000). “GMA” saw its closest news demo performance with “Today” in 6 months — since w/o 1/12/26.
• “GMA” (2.837 million, 458,000 and 326,000, respectively) defeated “CBS Mornings” (1.591 million, 220,000 and 155,000, respectively) in Total Viewers (+1.246 million), Adults 25-54 (+238,000) and Adults 18-49 (+171,000). In addition, “GMA” led “CBS Mornings” in Total Viewers and Adults 25-54 for the last 1,434 weeks overall — since w/o 1/18/99.

CBS Mornings Hits Record-Low Ratings, FOX & Friends Narrows Gap

CBS Mornings posted its lowest-rated week in program history during the week of July 13, according to final Nielsen data released Wednesday.

The CBS broadcast averaged just under 1.6 million total viewers — the first time the show has ever fallen below that benchmark — and only 220,000 adults ages 25-54.Despite operating with a significantly smaller distribution footprint, FOX & Friends continues to close the gap on its broadcast network rival in the competitive morning television battle.

In their direct head-to-head competition (7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Monday-Friday), CBS Mornings held a narrow lead of just 131,000 total viewers last week, representing only a 9% advantage. One year ago, during the same period, CBS enjoyed a much more comfortable 30% lead.

Year-over-year trends further highlight the shift: CBS Mornings viewership declined 13%, while FOX & Friends grew 4%.

The ratings performance underscores growing pressure on CBS’s morning program as cable news competitors, particularly FOX & Friends, steadily erode the traditional dominance of the broadcast networks in the morning daypart.

CNN’s Clarissa Ward Signs One-Year Deal Amid Merger Uncertainty

Clarissa Ward

CNN star foreign correspondent Clarissa Ward agreed to only a one-year contract extension with the network, in part because she and other prominent journalists are worried that Bari Weiss could gain influence over CNN through a proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger, according to a report published Wednesday.

The limited deal comes despite CNN CEO Mark Thompson being “eager” to renew Ward’s contract for a longer term, Status newsletter editor Oliver Darcy reported. Ward’s one-year agreement essentially buys time to see how the potential merger unfolds before committing further.

Houston Radio: Audacy To Expand With Launch of 95.7 The Fan

Beginning August 13, Audacy's “95.7 The Spot” will discontinue its Adult Hits music format and begin simulcasting KILT-AM by rebranding as “95.7 The Fan,” building on the brand first used by WFAN in New York and later used in Minneapolis-St. Paul and other markets, the most recent addition being Los Angeles, where audience building is taking some time.

Audacy announced the launch Wednesday of 95.7 The Fan in Houston, officially establishing the company's FM sports radio presence across all top ten U.S. markets. Beginning August 13, 95.7 The Fan will launch as an FM simulcast of 610 AM, delivering the market’s leading sports talk, expert analysis, and live play-by-play coverage across both frequencies.

As part of this expansion, 95.7 The Fan will serve as the flagship FM broadcast home for the Houston Texans, bringing the game-day action and year-round coverage to an even broader audience across the region.

Portland Radio: NBA Trail Blazers Slash Broadcasting Staff

The Portland Trail Blazers are undergoing major cuts to their broadcasting operations as new owner Tom Dundon seeks greater efficiency, resulting in the departure of several longtime on-air talents and reductions in production.

Veteran TV analyst Michael Holton, who spent 19 seasons with the team, has been let go. Also departing are statistician Tom Haberstroh, former ESPN personality and Blazers TV host Neil Everett, and host Jamie Hudson. 

Play-by-play announcer Kevin Calabro announced Wednesday he will not return after refusing a pay cut. Several other broadcasters face expired contracts and expected deep salary reductions.

The changes extend beyond on-air talent. The TV production crew has been trimmed, leaving the team without a Producer after Greg Fonseca departed for NBA Broadcasting. Graphics packages will reportedly be scaled back, potentially impacting broadcast quality.

On the radio side, the status of announcer Demers remains unclear, with the possibility that road games could be called remotely. Only the Toronto Raptors currently use remote radio broadcasts for road games; NBA rules require TV talent to travel.

FIFA Would Like To Cash-In On Media Rights

A record 62.8 million viewers in the United States tuned in to watch Spain defeat Argentina 1-0 in extra time on Sunday, making it the most-watched soccer match in U.S. history—nearly 17 million more than the previous record.

The audience more than doubled the viewership of the 2022 World Cup final. Fox led the way with 38.9 million viewers on its English-language broadcast, peaking at 51.7 million. That figure surpassed all but two of the network’s NFL games during the 2025-26 season. Telemundo and Peacock added another 23.9 million Spanish-language viewers, breaking the previous record of 23.2 million for a World Cup broadcast in Spanish.

Fox Sports averaged 7.74 million viewers per match across the entire tournament—more than double its audiences for both the 2022 and 2018 World Cups.

Junk Food Ad Ban for Kids Raises Major 1A Concerns

A bill that would ban junk food advertising directed at children under 13 faces significant First Amendment concerns, major advertising trade groups said in a letter sent to lawmakers Tuesday.

The Childhood Diabetes Reduction Act of 2026, introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), would prohibit companies from marketing or advertising junk food “in a manner that reasonably appears to be directed at children.” 

The measure also includes requirements for warning labels on junk food products.

In a letter addressed to Sanders and Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), the Association of National Advertisers, American Association of Advertising Agencies, and American Advertising Federation argued that the legislation would unconstitutionally restrict protected commercial speech.

“The bill would regulate truthful, non-misleading advertising concerning products that may lawfully be sold in commerce,” the groups wrote. They warned that it “may have the practical effect of discouraging lawful advertising for ordinary food and beverage products,” including restaurant ads, even when children are not the primary audience.

MN Newspaper Defends Walz Pardon Of Child Rapist

The Minnesota Star Tribune published a column praising or strongly defending Gov. Tim Walz for supporting the pardon of Tou Lue Vang, a man convicted in 2006 of first-degree criminal sexual conduct for repeatedly sexually abusing a 10-year-old girl over a period of about three years. 

Key Details

The Crime: Vang, then in his late teens or early 20s, admitted to the assaults, which began in 2002. He reportedly minimized the abuse as a "minor thing" and referenced cultural norms from his background in a Thai refugee camp. 

The Pardon: On June 10, 2026, the Minnesota Board of Pardons — composed of Gov. Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Chief Justice Natalie Hudson — unanimously granted clemency, effectively clearing the felony conviction from Vang's record. The decision came as Vang, a Laotian national, faced imminent deportation by federal immigration authorities. 

Opposition: Ramsey County prosecutors strongly objected to the pardon. Victim advocates spoke against it during hearings. Federal officials, including the Department of Homeland Security, criticized the move as shielding a convicted child sex offender from removal. 

Smartphones Dominate Digital Listening Across All Generations

Smartphones are the overwhelming top device for digital audio consumption, with 80% of Gen Z and 79% of millennial listeners tuning in primarily on their phones, according to a March 2026 survey from The Harris Poll and EMARKETER. 

This preference holds as the leading platform for every generation.

The smartphone habit shows no signs of slowing and is extending deeper into older demographics. Podcasts now reach 68% of adults ages 35 to 54 (millennials and Gen X), a notable increase from 61% just one year earlier, per Edison Research. This growth indicates that mobile audio is becoming a mainstream behavior well beyond younger listeners.

At the same time, podcast listening is evolving from a mostly commute-driven activity into a consistent, year-round habit. 52% of U.S. adults now report listening to podcasts at least several times a year, up significantly from 35% in 2022, according to CivicScience. 

Seasonal patterns further support this shift: 43% of listeners say they tune in more during the summer, while only 17% listen less.

Overall, these trends point to a maturing digital audio landscape where smartphones serve as the universal gateway, reach is broadening across age groups, and consumption is becoming more habitual and less tied to specific routines.

Good Morning to Thursday: Here's The Pulse For July 23

Radio Broadcasting

Houston Sports On FM: Beginning August 13, Audacy's “95.7 The Spot” will discontinue its Adult Hits music format and begin simulcasting KILT-AM by rebranding as “95.7 The Fan,” building on the brand first used by WFAN in New York and later used in Minneapolis-St. Paul and other markets, the most recent addition being Los Angeles.

Trail Blazers Make Cuts: The Portland Trail Blazers are undergoing major cuts to their broadcasting operations as new owner Tom Dundon seeks greater efficiency, resulting in the departure of several longtime on-air talents and reductions in production.

Relax Radio Caps: Connoisseur Media and Beasley Media Group are urging the FCC to eliminate or significantly relax local radio ownership limits, arguing that rules adopted nearly 30 years ago no longer reflect today's competitive media landscape and are putting the radio industry at a growing disadvantage.

Peacock Posts First-Ever Quarterly Profit

Comcast’s Peacock streaming service posted its first-ever quarterly profit, driving stronger-than-expected overall results for the media giant.

Peacock revenue jumped 54% year-over-year to $1.9 billion in the most recent quarter, while the service generated $189 million in adjusted EBITDA — turning profitable for the first time. The performance helped lift Comcast’s film revenue 25% year-over-year to $3.04 billion and contributed to the company beating Wall Street analysts’ estimates on key financial metrics.

The streaming milestone marks a significant turning point for Peacock, which has aggressively expanded its content library and subscriber base since launch. Executives highlighted the combination of higher subscription revenue, advertising growth, and cost discipline as the main drivers behind the $189 million EBITDA swing from losses in the prior-year period.

It also added 2 million paid subscribers for a total of 48 million, driven by the NBA playoffs, FIFA World Cup and Love Island USA. Revenue for the service grew to $1.9 billion, compared to $1.2 billion in the year-ago period.

Comcast’s broader film segment also posted robust gains, fueled by strong box-office performances and content licensing deals. The 25% revenue increase to $3.04 billion underscores continued demand for theatrical and ancillary film content even amid industry-wide shifts toward streaming.

As for the theme parks business, revenue increased 2.7% to $2.4 billion, driven by growth at its Orlando theme parks and the successful opening of Epic Universe, though the segment’s profits fell 5.1% to $609 million due to higher operating expenses.

Analysts had anticipated solid but more modest growth; the actual results exceeded forecasts across major line items, providing positive momentum for Comcast as it navigates a competitive media landscape. The company has increasingly emphasized Peacock’s path to sustained profitability as a core part of its long-term strategy.

Alphabet Reports Strong Q2 Revenue Growth

Alphabet Inc. posted 24% year-over-year revenue growth in the second quarter, driven by its surging cloud business, yet investor concerns over escalating artificial intelligence infrastructure costs tempered the reaction.

The Google parent reported $119.8 billion in total revenue for the April-June period, beating analyst expectations. Its cloud segment generated $24.8 billion, while search delivered $63.3 billion. 

Net income reached $112.1 billion, also ahead of forecasts, boosted largely by gains in Alphabet’s equity investments.

However, the company raised its full-year capital expenditure guidance by $15 billion to a new range of $195 billion to $205 billion as it accelerates AI build-out. Free cash flow turned negative in the quarter and will stay under pressure, Chief Financial Officer Anat Ashkenazi said, citing heavy investments in technological infrastructure.

“Google comes out with a solid quarter, beating consensus expectations, but not by enough,” said Brian Mulberry of Zacks Investment Management. “This time the cloud revenue was good but just not as good.”

Alphabet has been racing to catch up in generative AI. It launched the competitive Gemini 3 model in November but has since lagged behind rivals OpenAI and Anthropic on the frontier.

Dean Littleton Promoted to President of Media at Scripps

Dean Littleton, the company’s Executive Vice President of Media Broadcast Operations and a nine-year Scripps veteran, has been promoted to President of Media.

The newly created role gives Littleton oversight of the company’s full local media portfolio, including approximately 60 television stations, the national Scripps Networks division (which includes ION and a suite of multicast and digital networks), and Scripps News, the 24/7 national streaming news service. He will be based in Cincinnati.

Dean Littleton

“Dean has been instrumental in driving operational excellence across our local media platform while creating a more durable and sustainable business model for local journalism,” said Scripps President and CEO Adam Symson. “As Scripps executes its transformation plan, Dean is the right mission-focused leader to ensure our media businesses operate with the speed, creativity and growth mindset that will create lasting value for the audiences, advertisers, employees and shareholders we serve.”

Littleton joined Scripps in 2017 and most recently led the company’s Denver television stations, KMGH-7 and KCDO-TV “The Spot.” He previously served as general manager of WATE-TV in Knoxville and held leadership and general sales manager roles at stations including WVLT-TV, KUSA-TV and WBIR-TV. He began his career as a news photographer and editor.

Radio History: July 23

➦In 1912...Jackson Beck born (Died at age 92 – July 28, 2004). He was an announcer and actor best known as the announcer on radio's The Adventures of Superman and the voice of Bluto in the Famous era Popeye theatrical shorts.

Jackson Beck

Beck's early radio experience included work at WINS and WHN, both in New York City. Beginning in 1931, he worked with Myrt and Marge, among other roles. In 1934, he was the announcer for The Adventures of Babe Ruth on the radio. In 1943, he took over as narrator of radio's The Adventures of Superman; it was Beck who intoned the familiar prologue "strange visitor from another planet..." He also had recurring roles, voicing an occasional tough guy and also portraying Beany Martin, the Daily Planet's teenage copy boy. On Superman episodes featuring Batman, he played Bruce Wayne's butler, Alfred Pennyworth.

He also impersonated Joseph Stalin and other world leaders for The March of Time radio series, starred as The Cisco Kid on radio from 1942 to 1945 and sleuth Philo Vance in a syndicated series from 1948 to 1950, starred in the dramatic anthology Brownstone Theater on Mutual, and served as narrator for the radio adventures of Tom Corbett, Space Cadet.

Beck also co-starred in several episodes of the CBS Radio Mystery Theater.

➦In 1937...Robert Wilbur Morgan born (Died  – May 22, 1998). He was a Top40 radio personality best known for his work at several stations in Los Angeles, California, in particular KHJ-AM.

Morgan also did morning drive at KMPC-AM, KIQQ-FM and KMGG-FM, and finished his career at KRTH-FM, where he retired for health reasons in 1997. He died from lung cancer on May 22, 1998.

As a youth growing up in Galion, Ohio, Morgan's interest was piqued while listening to his favorite DJs on Cleveland's top forty giant KYW which would eventually lead to his first on-air job was at Wooster College in 1955 on WWST & WWST-FM, for an initial salary of $1 per hour.