TV Ratings: State of the Union Trends Down in Early Numbers

Hollywood Reporter

by Rick Porter

February 25, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

President Donald Trump's State of the Union address saw a notable drop in viewership compared to last year, with Nielsen ratings showing a 12% decline across seven major broadcast and cable networks. The speech, which clocked in at 107 minutes—setting a new record—drew approximately 27.8 million viewers. This marks a decrease from the 31.45 million who tuned in last year. Fox News led the pack with 9.1 million viewers, followed closely by ABC and MS Now. The networks' performance among key demographics also shifted. Fox News topped the core adult demographic of 25-54-year-olds with 1.47 million viewers, while ABC and NBC trailed behind. This trend aligns with historical patterns, as first-year State of the Union addresses often see lower ratings compared to their predecessors. Exceptions include George W. Bush's post-9/11 address in 2002 and Joe Biden's delayed 2022 speech due to COVID-19 restrictions. The decline is significant for entertainment industry professionals, as it reflects shifting viewer preferences and media consumption habits. Networks are likely to analyze these trends to refine their content strategies and programming decisions. Final ratings, set to be released later this week, may adjust the preliminary numbers, but the overall downward trend underscores a broader shift in how audiences engage with political addresses.

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Originally published on Hollywood Reporter on 2/25/2026