#1 in A18-49 for 36 of the last 37 Months
#1 Most Watched Season-to -Date in Key Demo
MAY 30, 2018 – “NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt” is the #1 most-watched broadcast in the key demo for the month of May, winning 35 straight months, according to Nielsen Media Research data.
The broadcast’s winning streak in the demo most valued by news advertisers is its longest in four years, averaging 1.6 million A25-54 viewers this past month, beating “ABC World News Tonight” by +46,000 viewers (+3%) and “CBS Evening News” by +457,000 viewers (+39%).
This month Holt had an exclusive interview with Meek Mill for the rapper’s first in-depth sit-down since being released from prison on bail. Additionally, Holt embarked on his second “Across America” tour in as many years, traveling from coast to coast to report on stories impacting Americans’ hometowns such as job creation, reducing crime, and opioid addiction. On the tour, Holt visited and anchored the broadcast from Portland, Ore., Denver, Colo., Chicago, Ill., Pittsburgh, Pa., and Raleigh-Durham, N.C. Holt also anchored the broadcast from Santa Fe, Texas to report on the deadly school shooting at Santa Fe High School.
In May, “Nightly News” averaged 1.1 million A18-49 viewers, topping ABC by +19,000 viewers (+2%) and CBS by +276,000 viewers (+34%). The broadcast has won the A18-49 demo for 36 of the past 37 months.
7.6 million viewers tuned in to “Nightly News” for the month of May 2018, +1.9 million total viewers (+33%) more than “CBS Evening News.
For the week of May 21, “Nightly News” averaged 1.6 million A25-54 viewers, leading CBS by +443,000 viewers (+38%). “Nightly News” also averaged 1.1 million A18-49 viewers last week, topping CBS by +298,000 viewers (+36%). 7.7 million total viewers tuned in to the broadcast for the week of May 21, besting CBS by +2.0 million viewers (+35%).
For the week of May 21, “Nightly News” rated for four nights (May 21, May 22, May 23, and May 24) due to the Memorial Day holiday.
“Nightly News” continues as the #1 most-watched evening newscast season-to-date in the key demo, delivering its largest demo lead over CBS in seven seasons.
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Monthly Highlights:
- “Nightly News” averaged 1.6 million A25-54 viewers, outperforming ABC by +46,000 (+3%) CBS by +457,000 (+39%).
- “Nightly News” has ranked #1 in A25-54 for 35 consecutive months.
- “Nightly News” averaged 1.1 million A18-49 viewers, topping ABC by +19,000 (+2%) CBS by +276,000 (+34%).
- Nightly News” has ranked #1 in A18-49 for 36 of the last 37 months.
- “Nightly News” averaged 7.6 million viewers in May, besting CBS by +1.9 million (+33%).
Weekly Highlights:
- “Nightly News” averaged 1.6 million A25-54 viewers, outperforming CBS by +443,000 (+38%).
- “Nightly News” averaged 1.1 million A18-49 viewers, topping CBS by +298,000 (+36%).
- “Nightly News” averaged 7.7 million total viewers, besting CBS by +2.0 million (+35%).
Season Highlights:
- “Nightly News” is the #1 evening newscast this season in A25-54 and A18-49
- “Nightly News” holds its largest A25-54 demo advantage over CBS in seven seasons.
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Week of May 21 – May 25, 2018:
| Total Viewers | A25-54 Rating | A25-54 Viewers | A18-49 Rating | A18-49 Viewers | |
| NBC | 7.678 | 1.34 | 1.623 | 0.87 | 1.127 |
| CBS | 5.670 | 0.98 | 1.180 | 0.64 | 0.829 |
| ABC | 7.976 | 1.36 | 1.642 | 0.88 | 1.130 |
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ABOUT NBC NIGHTLY NEWS WITH LESTER HOLT
NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt is the most-watched evening newscast in America, providing the very latest on the day’s top stories and going beyond the headlines to add context and analysis to the most pressing issues of our times. NBC Nightly News reaches more than 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:
TJ Ducklo
NBC News
212-664-1913
Rachel Zuckerman
NBC News
212-664-3996
