CNN's first Farm Aid telecast drew 3.88 million and raised $615,000 — the benchmark for year two

CNN's 2025 Farm Aid 40 broadcast reached 3.88 million viewers globally and drew over $615,000 in donor contributions during the live show, per Variety. The figures give CNN a measurable bar for its second-year partnership: Farm Aid 2026 airs September 26 from Virginia Beach, with Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews, Margo Price and Nathaniel Rateliff scheduled.