“NBC NIGHTLY NEWS WITH LESTER HOLT” DELIVERS BIGGEST YEAR-OVER-YEAR VIEWER GAINS OF THE THREE NETWORKS FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 28

Nightly Wins Across-the-Board for the Eighth Consecutive Week 

NEW YORK (April 5, 2016) – “NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt” ranked #1 across-the-board for the week of March 28 – April 1, continuing as America’s most-watched evening newscast. Nightly finished first every night, averaging 8.59 million total viewers, outperforming ABC by +355,000 (+4%) and CBS by +1.59 million viewers (+23%). For the third straight week, Nightly topped ABC by at least 300,000 viewers.

Versus the same week last season, Nightly delivered the biggest audience gains of the three networks across-the-board in total viewers (+9%, +682,000), A25-54 viewers (+11%, +191,000) and A18-49 viewers (+17%, +214,000). In all of those demos, ABC saw losses from the same week last year. The NBC broadcast continues to strengthen its position among younger viewers season-to-date as well. Nightly has widened its A25-54 lead vs. ABC by 178,000 viewers versus last season (+201,000 lead this season vs. a +23,000 lead this time last year). And the NBC broadcast improved its A18-49 advantage over ABC by 65% versus last season (vs. +124,000 last season)

Nightly has been #1 in total viewers for 8 consecutive weeks and 38 of the 41 weeks since Holt was named anchor. Season-to-date, Nightly is the #1 evening news program in total viewers, A25-54 and A18-49 viewers. Among the key A25-54 demo, Nightly delivered a 1.67 rating and has been ranked #1 for 36 consecutive weeks. The NBC broadcast has also won 36 consecutive weeks with the A18-49 demo.

Weekly Highlights:

  • Nightly averaged 8.586 million total viewers, outperforming ABC by +355,000 (+4%) total viewers and CBS by +1.592 million (+23%).
  • Nightly averaged 1.980 million A25-54 viewers, +163,000 (+9%) higher than ABC and +377,000 (+24%) more than CBS.
  • Nightly averaged 1.441 million A18-49 viewers, leading ABC by +114,000 (+9%) and CBS by +323,000 (+29%).
  • The NBC broadcast is #1 in A25-54 and A18-49 viewers for 36 consecutive weeks.

Season-to-Date:

  • Season-to-date, Nightly is the #1 evening news broadcast in total viewers and all key demographics.
  • Nightly is averaging 9.015 million total viewers this season, leading ABC by +3% (+267,000) and CBS by +20% (+1.510 million).
  • Nightly averages 2.199 million A25-54 viewers, leading ABC by +201,000 (+10%) and CBS by +453,000 (+26%).
  • Nightly has widened its A25-54 lead vs. ABC by 178,000 viewers versus last season (+201,000 lead this season vs. a +23,000 lead this time last year).
  • Nightly averages 1.590 million A18-49 viewers, outperforming ABC by +205,000 (+15%) and CBS by +401,000 (+34%)
  • Nightly has improved its A18-49 advantage over ABC by 65% versus last season (vs. +124,000 last season)

Week of March 28 – April 1, 2016:

Total Viewers     A25-54 Rating     A25-54 Viewers     A18-49 Rating     A18-49 Viewers    
NBC          8.586 1.67 1.980 1.14 1.441
CBS 6.994 1.35 1.603 0.88 1.118
ABC 8.231 1.53 1.817 1.05 1.327

For more information contact:

Jake Urbanski
NBC News
o: (212) 664-3211
c: (646) 823-2133
e: jake.urbanski@nbcuni.com

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ABOUT NBC NIGHTLY NEWS WITH LESTER HOLT

“NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt” is America’s most-watched evening newscast, going beyond the day’s headlines to uncover stories of how people’s lives are affected by the world around them. “NBC Nightly News” reaches over 24 million people every week through its broadcast and millions more through NBCNews.com, the “Nightly News” app, and social media platforms. Lester Holt is the anchor and Sam Singal is the executive producer.

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