Election coverage lifts news networks’ YouTube audiences in September

Posted Thursday, October 29, 2026 7:06 am

Bevin Fletcher | StreamTV Insider

News networks occupied six places in September’s top 10 traditional-media YouTube channels by unique U.S. viewers, according to Chartbeat data published by StreamTV Insider. Election coverage and the dispute over White House press access helped drive audience growth across the category.

CNN ranked first with 44.7 million unique U.S. viewers, up 60% from August, followed by ABC News with 43.8 million, a 37% increase. Fox News, NBC News, MS NOW and CBS News also recorded substantial monthly gains.

The ranking illustrates how established news brands are using YouTube to reach audiences beyond their television schedules. The figures measure unique domestic viewers on the platform, rather than broadcast ratings or total video views.

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Election coverage lifts news networks’ YouTube audiences in September

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