Fox News Live Stream
Fox News is the most watched cable news network in the United States, and it has held the top spot in cable news primetime for more than two decades. Viewers can watch Fox News live in HD through cable and satellite providers, live TV streaming services such as YouTube TV and Sling, or the official Fox News app with a TV provider login.
The network is known for its conservative viewpoint, its powerful primetime lineup, and a morning franchise that has led cable news for years. In the first quarter of 2026, Fox News drew nearly 60 percent of the entire cable news audience, which means that on an average day more Americans chose Fox News than every other cable news channel combined.
Fox News in 2026 | Still on Top, but the Gap Is Shrinking
Fox News started 2026 in a commanding position. Coverage of the Iran war pushed its numbers up sharply, and in the first quarter the network averaged 1.7 million viewers across the full day and 2.6 million viewers in primetime. That quarter marked the 97th straight quarter that Fox News led cable news in primetime, and the network even finished ahead of CBS among weekday primetime viewers, which is a rare feat for any cable channel.
In February, the afternoon panel show The Five drew about 4.1 million viewers in a single week and passed CBS Evening News in total viewers. Jesse Watters Primetime led the evening block with roughly 3.6 million viewers, while Special Report with Bret Baier and The Ingraham Angle each cleared the three million mark during the same period.
The second half of the year has told a different story. Fox News averaged about 2.06 million primetime viewers in the third quarter of 2026, which is 17 percent lower than a year earlier, while MS NOW and CNN both posted year over year growth. Part of that drop comes from a comparison with the summer of 2025, when the first wave of US and Israeli strikes on Iran drove record interest in news. Even so, Fox News still pulls in more than double the primetime audience of its closest rival, and The Five remains the most watched program in all of cable news.
| Fox News Channel Details | |
|---|---|
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Fox News Channel (FNC) |
| Launch Date | October 7, 1996 |
| Founders | Rupert Murdoch, with Roger Ailes as founding CEO |
| Parent Company | Fox Corporation |
| Fox Corporation Leader | Lachlan Murdoch, Executive Chair and CEO |
| Fox News Media CEO | Suzanne Scott |
| Headquarters | 1211 Avenue of the Americas, New York City |
| Other Studios | Washington D.C. and Los Angeles |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Editorial Focus | Breaking news and conservative political commentary |
| Sister Brands | Fox Business, Fox Weather, Fox Nation, Fox News Audio, Fox News Digital |
| Cable News Share | Nearly 60 percent of the cable news audience (Q1 2026) |
| Primetime Record | No. 1 in cable news primetime for 97 straight quarters (Q1 2026) |
| Website | www.foxnews.com |
Fox News Schedule 2026 | Weekday Lineup
Fox News runs live programming for most of the day, with hard news in the morning and afternoon and its biggest opinion shows in primetime. Here is the regular weekday lineup in Eastern Time. Special coverage during major breaking news can change these slots.
| Fox News Weekday Schedule 2026 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Time (ET) | Program | Anchor / Host |
| 4:00 AM | Fox and Friends First | Carley Shimkus and Todd Piro |
| 6:00 AM | Fox and Friends | Steve Doocy, Ainsley Earhardt, Brian Kilmeade, Lawrence Jones |
| 9:00 AM | America’s Newsroom | Bill Hemmer and Dana Perino |
| 11:00 AM | The Faulkner Focus | Harris Faulkner |
| 12:00 PM | Outnumbered | Harris Faulkner and rotating panel |
| 1:00 PM | America Reports | Sandra Smith and John Roberts |
| 3:00 PM | The Story | Martha MacCallum |
| 4:00 PM | The Will Cain Show | Will Cain |
| 5:00 PM | The Five | Greg Gutfeld, Jesse Watters, Dana Perino, Jeanine Pirro panel |
| 6:00 PM | Special Report | Bret Baier |
| 7:00 PM | The Ingraham Angle | Laura Ingraham |
| 8:00 PM | Jesse Watters Primetime | Jesse Watters |
| 9:00 PM | Hannity | Sean Hannity |
| 10:00 PM | Gutfeld! | Greg Gutfeld |
| 11:00 PM | Fox News @ Night | Trace Gallagher |
Weekend Programs
Weekends on Fox News mix political interviews, long form commentary, and the weekend edition of its morning franchise, which ranks among the most watched weekend shows on cable.
| Fox News Weekend Programs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Program | Host | What It Covers |
| Fox and Friends Weekend | Rotating weekend co-hosts | News, lifestyle, and political interviews |
| Fox News Sunday | Shannon Bream | Sunday political interviews with lawmakers |
| Sunday Morning Futures | Maria Bartiromo | Economy, politics, and policy |
| Life, Liberty and Levin | Mark Levin | Long form conservative commentary |
| Fox Report | Weekend anchors | Weekend evening news wrap |
How to Watch Fox News in the USA and Worldwide
Fox News is available on almost every major pay TV and live streaming platform in the United States. The table below covers the most common ways to watch, from satellite channel numbers to streaming apps that work without a cable box.
| Fox News Availability 2026 | |
|---|---|
| Platform / Provider | Channel and Details |
| Satellite TV | |
| DirecTV | Channel 360 |
| DISH Network | Channel 205 |
| Cable TV | |
| Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox, Optimum | Channel varies by city and ZIP code |
| Verizon Fios | Check your local channel guide |
| Live TV Streaming | |
| YouTube TV | Included in the base plan |
| Sling TV | Included in the Sling Blue package |
| DirecTV Stream | Included |
| Hulu + Live TV | Included |
| Fox Apps and Digital | |
| Fox One | Fox’s own streaming service with a live Fox News feed, no cable needed |
| Fox News App and FoxNews.com | Live TV with a cable or live TV provider login |
| Fox Nation | Paid on demand service with exclusive shows and specials |
| Fox News on YouTube | Free clips, interviews, and highlights |
| Outside the USA | |
| Fox News International | Available in many countries through the Fox News International streaming app |
Fox News vs CNN vs MSNBC | How the Big Three Compare
American cable news runs on three very different lanes. Fox News serves conservative viewers, MSNBC (now MS NOW) serves progressive viewers, and CNN tries to sit in the middle with a breaking news focus. Each network covers the same stories, yet the angle, the guests, and the tone often feel completely different, which is why audiences tend to stay loyal to one channel.
Fox News: Conservative and Primetime Powerhouse
Fox News builds its identity around conservative opinion in primetime and fast paced news during the day. Hosts such as Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham, and Jesse Watters frame stories around immigration, national security, government spending, and support for the Trump administration. Its audience is the most loyal in cable news, and its ratings lead has survived the exit of major stars such as Tucker Carlson in 2023.
MSNBC (MS NOW): Progressive and Growing
MS NOW takes the opposite lane, with progressive hosts like Rachel Maddow, Nicolle Wallace, and Chris Hayes holding the Trump administration to account. The network rebranded from MSNBC in November 2025, and in 2026 it has been the fastest growing of the three, posting double digit gains in both total viewers and the key 25 to 54 age group.
CNN: Breaking News and Centrist
CNN focuses on straight news and global reporting rather than a single political voice. It has a smaller primetime audience than its two rivals, but it leads in international reach and remains a top destination online when big stories break around the world.
| Fox News vs CNN vs MSNBC | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Fox News | CNN | MS NOW (MSNBC) |
| Political Lean | Conservative | Centrist, general news | Progressive |
| Q1 2026 Primetime Viewers | 2.6 million | 797,000 | 1.1 million |
| Q1 2026 Total Day Viewers | 1.7 million | 577,000 | 691,000 |
| Q3 2026 Primetime Viewers | 2.06 million (down 17%) | 607,000 (up year over year) | 930,000 (up 16%) |
| Most Watched Show | The Five | Anderson Cooper 360 | The Rachel Maddow Show |
| Primetime Style | Conservative opinion | News with analysis | Progressive opinion |
| Owner | Fox Corporation | Warner Bros. Discovery | Versant |
| Biggest Strength | Largest and most loyal audience | Global reach and breaking news | Fastest audience growth in 2026 |
The numbers show a clear pattern. Fox News wins on raw audience size by a wide margin, MS NOW wins on momentum in 2026, and CNN wins on international reach. For viewers who want news through a conservative lens, Fox News remains the dominant choice in American television.
Fox News Anchors and Hosts 2026
Fox News has one of the most recognizable rosters in television news. These are the anchors and hosts viewers see most often across the daily schedule.
| Fox News Anchors and Hosts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Anchor | Show | Known For |
| Bret Baier | Special Report | Chief political anchor and debate moderator |
| Sean Hannity | Hannity | Longest running primetime host on the network |
| Jesse Watters | Jesse Watters Primetime, The Five | Top rated 8 PM show in cable news |
| Laura Ingraham | The Ingraham Angle | Conservative commentary and interviews |
| Greg Gutfeld | Gutfeld!, The Five | Late night comedy mixed with news |
| Martha MacCallum | The Story | Afternoon news and interviews |
| Harris Faulkner | The Faulkner Focus, Outnumbered | Daytime news and panel discussion |
| Dana Perino | America’s Newsroom, The Five | Former White House press secretary |
| Shannon Bream | Fox News Sunday | Sunday political interviews |
| Trace Gallagher | Fox News @ Night | Late night news wrap |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fox News still the most watched cable news channel?
Yes. Fox News remained the most watched cable news network in the third quarter of 2026, averaging about 2.06 million primetime viewers, which is more than MS NOW and CNN combined.
What channel is Fox News on DirecTV and DISH?
Fox News is channel 360 on DirecTV and channel 205 on DISH Network. On cable providers such as Xfinity and Spectrum, the channel number depends on your city.
Can I watch Fox News without cable?
Yes. YouTube TV, Sling Blue, DirecTV Stream, and Hulu + Live TV all carry Fox News, and Fox One offers a live Fox News feed as a standalone subscription without any cable package.
Is Fox News on Netflix or Amazon Prime?
No. Fox News is a live TV channel and is not part of Netflix or Amazon Prime Video. You need a cable or satellite package, a live TV streaming service, or Fox One.
What is the most watched show on Fox News?
The Five is the most watched program in all of cable news in 2026, and it even passed CBS Evening News in total viewers during one week in February.
