EXCLUSIVE: "The View," which has been in the crosshairs of Trump's FCC, averaged 2.518 million

By: Variety

Published: 2026-09-18T14:26:00.699290Z

Last Updated: 2026-09-18T14:26:00.699293Z

Category: Entertainment

The ABC daytime talk show drew 2.518 million total viewers during its first week of Season 30, according to preliminary ratings data.

• The audience was 8 percent larger than the show’s premiere-week viewership last year.

• The result marks the program’s biggest season-opening audience since 2020.

• The ratings arrive as The View faces heightened attention from the Federal Communications Commission under President Donald Trump’s administration.

• The show remains a prominent platform for political debate, cultural commentary and interviews, helping sustain interest among both daytime television viewers and news audiences.

The early-season performance offers a strong start for the long-running program, which has continued to attract viewers despite intense political scrutiny and a changing daytime television landscape. Further ratings data will show whether the initial surge continues in the weeks ahead.