# The Other Midterms Flip: Broadcast Networks Dominated Election Night Coverage

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/the-other-midterms-flip-broadcast-networks-dominated-election-night-coverage/
- Published: 2026-11-06T23:18:41+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-07T00:40:04+00:00
- Original publisher: The Hollywood Reporter
- Original article: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/broadcast-networks-nbc-midterm-elections-tv-ratings-1236749456/
- Topics: Elections, Politics

## Key points

- Broadcast networks drew 57 per cent of election-night viewers.
- NBC led with 6.74 million viewers.
- Fewer households now use multichannel TV services.

## Summary

Broadcast networks attracted more viewers than cable for US midterm election coverage for the first time in six election cycles. The reversal matters as it reflects changing viewing habits and raises questions about whether traditional television can regain ground as more people watch news online.

Nielsen counted 31.21 million primetime viewers across 13 outlets, up from 25.43 million in 2022; 17.79 million watched broadcast networks and 13.42 million cable. NBC led with 6.74 million viewers, while ABC had 5.19 million. Cable’s share may have been affected by the decline in pay-TV households, from 52.3 per cent to 42.5 per cent in four years, alongside audience shifts linked to the election results.

---
Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.