Wins Key Demo for 29th Straight Month
Ranks #1 in A18-49 for 31 Consecutive Months
Broadcast Wins 10 Consecutive Sweeps in Key Demo
Grows More Week Over Week Than Any Other Evening Broadcast
NOVEMBER 29, 2017 – “NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt” was the #1 most-watched evening broadcast across the board for Thanksgiving week, according to Nielsen Media Research data.
For the week of November 20, “Nightly News” averaged 9.7 million total viewers, besting “ABC World News Tonight” by +543,000 total viewers (+6%) and “CBS Evening News” by +2.7 million total viewers (+38%). The broadcast grew the most week over week in total viewers compared to the competition and marked its highest total viewer win over ABC in 46 weeks.
Nightly News was #1 in the news demo for the 75th week in a row, averaging 2.1 million A25-54 viewers, leading ABC by +257,000 viewers (+14%) and CBS by +558,000 viewers (+36%). “Nightly News” grew the most week over week compared to ABC and CBS and delivered its highest key demo audience in 11 weeks.
For 120 of the past 121 weeks, Nightly News was also the most-watched among A18-49 viewers, averaging 1.4 million and topping ABC by +131,000 viewers (+10%) and CBS by +438,000 viewers (+43%). “Nightly News” grew the most week over week compared to ABC and CBS and delivered its highest A18-49 audience in 11 weeks.
“NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt” is the #1 most-watched broadcast in the key demo for the month of November 2017, winning its 29th straight month, according to Nielsen Research Data. The broadcast continues its winning streak in the demo most valued by news advertisers, averaging 1.9 million A25-54 viewers this past month, beating “ABC World News Tonight” by +94,000 viewers (+5%) and “CBS Evening News” by +518,000 viewers (+37%).
Now for 31 consecutive months, Nightly News is also the most-watched among A18-49 viewers, averaging 1.3 million and topping ABC by +103,000 viewers (+8%) and CBS by +415,000 viewers (+45%). 8.6 million total viewers tuned in to Nightly News for the month of November 2017: +2.0 million total viewers (+29%) more than “CBS Evening News.”
“Nightly News” won its 10th consecutive sweep in the key demo, averaging 1.9 million viewers, topping “ABC World News Tonight” by +87,000 viewers (+5%) and “CBS Evening News” by +495,000 viewers (+35%). This sweep period marks the 10th consecutive win for “Nightly News” among A18-49 viewers averaging 1.3 million viewers, beating “ABC World News Tonight” by +105,000 viewers (+9%) and “CBS Evening News” by +403,000 viewers (+44%). In total viewers, “Nightly News” averaged 8.3 million total viewers, leading CBS by 1.7 million (+26%).
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 four seasons.
For the week of November 20, “Nightly News” was rated for three nights (Nov. 20, Nov. 21 and Nov. 24) due to the Thanksgiving holiday.
The broadcast also continues to dominate its competition on social media with more followers on Facebook and a fivefold advantage in Twitter engagement compared to “CBS Evening News.”
Follow Nightly News on Twitter and on Facebook.
# # #
Weekly Highlights:
- Nightly News averaged 9.7 million total viewers, besting ABC by +543,000 (+6%) total viewers and CBS by +2.7 million (+38%).
- Nightly News averaged 2.1 million A25-54 viewers, outperforming ABC by +257,000 viewers (+14%) and CBS by +558,000 (+36%).
- Nightly News has ranked #1 in A25-54 for 75 consecutive weeks.
- Nightly News averaged 1.4 million A18-49 viewers, topping ABC by +131,000 (+10%) and CBS by +438,000 (+43%).
- Among A18-49 viewers, Nightly News has won 120 of the last 121 weeks.
Monthly Highlights:
- Nightly News averaged 1.9 million A25-54 viewers, outperforming ABC by +94,000 viewers (+5%) and CBS by +518,000 (+37%).
- Nightly News has ranked #1 in A25-54 for 29 consecutive months.
- Nightly News averaged 1.3 million A18-49 viewers, topping ABC by +103,000 (+8%) and CBS by +415,000 (+45%).
- Among A18-49 viewers, Nightly News is #1 for 31 consecutive months.
- Nightly News averaged 8.6 million total viewers, besting CBS by +2.0 million (+29%).
Season Highlights:
- Nightly 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 four seasons.
Week of November 20 – November 24, 2017:
| Total Viewers | A25-54 Rating | A25-54 Viewers | A18-49 Rating | A18-49 Viewers | |
| NBC | 9.700 | 1.74 | 2.105 | 1.12 | 1.448 |
| CBS | 7.010 | 1.28 | 1.547 | 0.78 | 1.010 |
| ABC | 9.157 | 1.53 | 1.848 | 1.02 | 1.317 |
# # #
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.
# # #
For more information contact:
Rachel Zuckerman
NBC News
212-664-3996
