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NBC News drew the largest primetime audience for 2026 midterm election coverage, leading a total of about 31.2 million viewers across 13 television networks, according to Nielsen.
NBC averaged 6.74 million viewers from 8 to 11 p.m. ET on Nov. 3, ahead of ABC News (5.19 million) and Fox News (about 4.32 million). The overall audience was up roughly 23% from the 2022 midterms (about 25.4 million viewers across 12 networks), though it remained below the 2018 peak of roughly 36 million.
NBC’s performance was its first lead in total midterm election-night viewers in 24 years. The network also led in the key adults 25-54 demographic with about 2.8 million viewers. Its coverage was anchored by Savannah Guthrie, Tom Llamas, Kristen Welker, and Hallie Jackson, and featured chief data analyst Steve Kornacki, whose dedicated “Kornacki Cam” livestream drew a record 29 million views across platforms (including 6.1 million on YouTube) and ranked as the top election livestream on the platform. Kornacki appeared simultaneously on the linear broadcast and the livestream from the same set.
Among cable networks in primetime total viewers, Fox News finished first (ahead of CNN at about 4.14 million and MS NOW at about 3.74 million). CNN led the adults 25-54 demographic among cable outlets. CBS News finished last among the major networks with roughly 2.76 million viewers. Of the overall 31.2 million primetime viewers, about 57% watched broadcast networks and 43% watched cable.
The audience increase came as Democrats gained control of both the House and Senate. Viewership rose on most networks compared with 2022, with NBC posting one of the largest gains (more than doubling its prior midterm total). Fox News, which had led cable and overall in some past cycles, saw a decline of roughly 40% from its 2022 midterm primetime audience.
Nielsen’s figures include out-of-home viewing and some streaming simulcasts of linear coverage (such as on Peacock, Hulu/Disney+, Paramount+, and Fox platforms) but do not fully capture independent digital or social-media viewing. Viewership peaked around the 9:30 p.m. ET half-hour.