NEW YORK, NY – (July 29, 2026) – In July, CNN outperformed typical summer audience trends with another month of strong growth and engagement across TV, digital and streaming platforms driven by distinctive global news, live coverage and original programming.
Across the top 10 cable networks, CNN posted the most year-over-year growth among P2+ (+26%). CNN also ranked in the top 10 among P25-54 for the 7th consecutive month.
In Total Day, CNN ranked as a top 5 most-watched cable network among P2+ for the 19th consecutive month. In M-F/M-Su Prime, CNN also ranked in the top 5 among P2+. Compared to July 2025, CNN’s Prime performance saw year-over-growth across demos. This includes a +11% increase among P25-54 and +31% increase among P2+ in M-Su Prime and +5% among P25-54 and +32% among P2+ in M-F.
Special coverage contributed to CNN’s strong month, including CNN’s Fourth in America: Celebrating 250, which saw a multiplatform worldwide reach of 26.39M. The special was CNN’s highest rated Fourth in America, ranking #7 among all special events on record. In addition, CNN’s The Fourth in America: Celebrating 250 (7/4/26, 12p-1a) ranked #2 in all of cable among P2+ and #3 among P25-54. Compared to CNN’s 2025 July 4th programming, the event grew +115% among P2+ and by +99% among P25-54. Kicking off coverage for the nation’s milestone birthday, CNN’s Independence Day Eve with Anderson and Andy (Friday, July 3rd, 2026) saw a multiplatform worldwide reach of 13.24M. The special coverage drove subscriptions for CNN’s streaming All Access subscription offering, reaching new audiences on new platforms with July 4th delivering one of the month’s highest days for qualified live viewers. In addition, this analysis of Trump’s America 250 celebrations was the second-highest article driving new subscriptions in 2026 to date.
Breaking news throughout the month ushered doubled digit growth in digital audience demand for live video, with live video starts up 65% year over year and live viewers up 25% year over year.
Alongside gains in live video, intentional video starts per viewer were also up 24% year over year in July, with lifestyle video content leading the way this summer: the Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce wedding ranked first in intentional video starts and was also the top video by time spent.
Subscriptions to CNN’s All Access offering continue to grow as well, bolstered by special events, major news moments and distinctive on-demand programming. For video on demand, distinct offerings for subscribers like CNN Anchor Phil Mattingly’s new series Priced Out in America and CNN Anchor Abby Phillip’s Confessions & Obsessionsranked among the highest series by qualified viewers in July.
CNN also drew more Instagram engagements in July than any other tracked news brand. Year to date, CNN Podcasts have 67 million downloads and streams.
TV Source: The Nielsen Company Big Data + Panel data as of Sep-25. Panel Only prior to Sep-25. Based on Live+7 blended with most current data, including Out of Home Viewing. P2+ & P25-54 Average Audience (000s). Nielsen Month of July: 6/29/26 – 7/26/26. Adult Swim and Nick-at-Nite Excluded from Total Day All of Cable Due to Only Airing in Prime Hours. Independence Day Eve & Fourth In America 2026 based on Live+Same Day only.
Independence Day Eve 2026 Worldwide Reach: TV via Nielsen Npower. Updated Big Data Plus Panel. P2+. Live+Most Current Data. TV coverage block 8p-12:30a. OOH reach numbers based on a ratio of Nielsen CNN TV OOH only audience/to total TV AA for CNN historical events. TV Intl Estimates are based on a ratio of Comscore digital domestic to Intl reach and applied to TV. Digital includes 6/3/2026-6/4/2026 P2+ uniques for event related content. CNN OTT, Web & Apps via Adobe Reports and Analytics. Offsite includes MSN uniques. Social via Rival IQ estimated global uniques. SiriusXM based on the ratio of subscriber data available via Statista.com.
CNN Fourth in America 2026 Worldwide Reach: TV via Nielsen Npower. Updated Big Data Plus Panel. P2+. Live+Most Current Data. TV coverage block 12p-1a. OOH reach numbers based on a ratio of Nielsen CNN TV OOH only audience/to total TV AA for CNN historical events. TV Intl Estimates are based on a ratio of Comscore digital domestic to Intl reach and applied to TV. Digital includes 6/4/2026-6/5/2026 P2+ uniques for event related content. CNN OTT, Web & Apps via Adobe Reports and Analytics. Offsite includes MSN uniques. Social via Rival IQ estimated global uniques. SiriusXM based on the ratio of subscriber data available via Statista.com.
Digital Source: Adobe Analytics
Podcast Source: Megaphone
Social Source: Rival IQ
