NBC News is #1 Across the Board for 2026 Midterm Election Night Coverage

NBC News is #1 across the board on TV, dominating all broadcast and cable networks during last night’s midterm election coverage from 8-11 p.m. ET, according to Nielsen preliminary fast national data. Additionally, NBC News’ “Kornacki Cam” ranked as the #1 election livestream on YouTube last night, with a record 29 million views across all platforms.

Anchored by Savannah Guthrie, Tom Llamas, Kristen Welker and Hallie Jackson, NBC News’ special coverage averaged more than 6.5 million total viewers, ranking #1 in total viewers for midterm election coverage for the first time in 24 years. NBC News led ABC by double-digit margins across all key demos and by more than 1.6 million total viewers (+33%).

NBC News averaged 2.5 million A25-54 viewers, exceeding the combined A25-54 audiences of ABC and CBS. This marked the first time NBC News ranked #1 in the key demo for midterm election coverage in 16 years.

The network also outpaced the competition in A18-49, averaging 2.3 million viewers in the demo. NBC News tripled MS Now's audience in the demo and nearly doubled CNN's.

Last night marked NBC News’ most extensive midterm election coverage ever, with 13 hours of continuous live coverage on the NBC broadcast network from the state-of-the-art election headquarters at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. At the center of NBC News’ election coverage was the NBC News Decision Desk, powering independent race calls and minute-by-minute results across NBC News’ broadcast, streaming and digital platforms

For the first time ever, Steve Kornacki simultaneously appeared in NBC News’ special election broadcast coverage and his dedicated “Kornacki Cam” livestream, and ranked as the #1 election livestream on YouTube last night, with a record 29 million views across all platforms.

Featuring 10.5 hours of nonstop coverage, the unfiltered, behind-the-scenes livestream gave viewers a continuous look at Steve Kornacki as he tracked and analyzed election results throughout the night. For the first time ever, Kornacki was able to simultaneously appear in NBC News’ special election broadcast coverage and his dedicated “Kornacki Cam” livestream, all from the same physical set at NBC News’ state-of-the-art election headquarters at 30 Rockefeller Plaza.

Ryan Nobles, chief Capitol Hill correspondent, provided reporting and analysis, while Garrett Haake, chief White House correspondent, reported on President Trump throughout the night.     

^{Source: Nielsen Panel, L+SD, 11/3/2026. Based on preliminary Fast National program ratings, Tue 8P-11P, excludes Out of Home viewership.}