The NBC News Broadcast Delivers Highest Non-Olympics Total Viewer Average Since April 2016
Nightly News Up by +57% over ABC in the Demo Versus the Same Week Last Season
Nightly News Ranks #1 among A25-54 and A18-49 for 57 of Last 58 Weeks
NEW YORK (September 7, 2016) – “NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt” ranked #1 across the board for the week of August 29, averaging 8.037 million total viewers, leading “ABC World News Tonight” by +103,000 (+1%) and “CBS Evening News” by +1.480 million (+23%). It was Nightly News’s highest non-Olympics total viewer average since the week of April 25, 2016. The NBC News broadcast has won across the board for eight consecutive weeks, while topping among total viewers for 10 of the past 12 weeks.
The NBC News broadcast continues its dominance in the demo, winning the week among A25-54, averaging 2 million A25-54 viewers, leading ABC by +307,000 (+18%) and CBS by +513,000 (+35%). Versus the same week last season, Nightly News improved its A25-54 lead over ABC by 57% (+307,000 last week vs. +196,000 a year ago). Nightly News has ranked #1 in A25-54 and A18-49 for 57 of the last 58 weeks. Additionally, Nightly News posted its best non-Olympics demo lead over ABC since the week June 27, 2016.
Among A18-49, Nightly News averaged 1.414 million viewers, topping ABC by +231,000 (+20%) and CBS by +430,000 (+44%). The NBC News broadcast delivered its biggest non-Olympics A18-49 advantage over ABC since the week of January 25, 2016.
Due to an NFL preseason game, NBC Nightly News was retitled on Thursday, while ABC and CBS were rated all five days.
Season to date, Nightly News is the #1 evening news program in total viewers, A25-54 and A18-49 viewers.
Weekly Highlights:
- Nightly News averaged 8.037 million total viewers, leading ABC by +103,000 (+1%) and CBS by +1.48 million (+23%).
- Nightly News has won eight consecutive weeks and 10 of the last 12 weeks among total viewers.
- Nightly News averaged 1.970 million A25-54 viewers, outperforming ABC by +307,000 (+18%) and CBS by +513,000 (+35%).
- Nightly News has ranked #1 in A25-54 and A18-49 for 57 of the past 58 weeks.
- Nightly News posted its best non-Olympics demo lead over ABC since the week June 27, 2016.
- Versus the same week last season, Nightly News improved its A25-54 lead over ABC by 57% (+307,000 last week vs. +196,000 a year ago).
- Nightly News averaged 1.414 million A18-49 viewers, topping ABC by +231,000 (+20%) and CBS by +430,000 (+44%).
- Nightly News delivered its biggest non-Olympics A18-49 advantage over ABC since the week of January 25, 2016.
Season to Date:
- Season to date, Nightly News is the #1 evening news program in total viewers, A25-54 viewers, and A18-49 viewers.
- Nightly News averages 8.6 million total viewers, +281,000 (+3%) ahead of ABC and +1.567 million (+22%) more than CBS.
- Nightly News averages 2.1 million A25-54 viewers, leading ABC by +244,000 (+13%) and CBS by +481,000 (+30%).
- Nightly News has added the most A25-54 viewers versus last season (+39,000, +2%).
- Nightly News has improved its A25-54 lead over ABC by over 800% (+244,000 lead this season vs. +27,000 this time last year).
- Nightly News averages 1.518 million A18-49 viewers, outperforming ABC by +208,000 (+16%) and CBS by +413,000 (+37%).
- Nightly News has more than doubled its A18-49 advantage over ABC versus last season (110%, vs. a +99,000 lead last season).
Week of August 29 – September 2, 2016:
| Total Viewers | A25-54 Rating | A25-54 Viewers | A18-49 Rating | A18-49 Viewers | |
| NBC | 8.037 | 1.64 | 1.970 | 1.10 | 1.414 |
| CBS | 6.557 | 1.21 | 1.457 | 0.77 | 0.984 |
| ABC | 7.934 | 1.38 | 1.663 | 0.92 | 1.183 |
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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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For more information contact:
Jake Urbanski
NBC News
212-664-3211
