Broadcast Grows Year Over Year in Key Demo
MAY 1, 2018 – “NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt” is the #1 most-watched broadcast in the key demo for the month of April, winning 34 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 nearly four years, averaging 1.7 million A25-54 viewers this past month, beating “CBS Evening News” by +484,000 viewers (+39%).
This month, Holt spoke exclusively to rapper Meek Mill on two occasions – first from prison by phone, and again two weeks later in Philadelphia for Mill’s first interview after being released on bail. Additionally, he spoke exclusively with former Attorney General Loretta Lynch in a wide ranging interview that included her relationship with James Comey, days before the former FBI Director’s autobiography was released.
In April, “Nightly News” averaged 1.2 million A18-49 viewers, topping CBS by +303,000 viewers (+36%).
The broadcast grew year-over-year in total viewers with 7.8 million tuning in to “Nightly News” for the month of April 2018: +1.8 million total viewers (+30%) more than “CBS Evening News.
For the week of April 23, “Nightly News” averaged 1.7 million A25-54 viewers, leading CBS by +465,000 viewers (+39%). “Nightly News” averaged 1.1 million A18-49 viewers, topping CBS by +285,000 viewers (+34%). 7.7 million total viewers tuned in to the broadcast for the week of April 23, besting CBS by +1.8 million viewers (+31%).
“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 1.7 million A25-54 viewers, outperforming CBS by +484,000 (+39%).
- “Nightly News” has ranked #1 in A25-54 for 34 consecutive months.
- “Nightly News” averaged 1.2 million A18-49 viewers, topping CBS by +303,000 (+36%).
- “Nightly News” grew year-over-year in total viewers, averaging 7.8 million viewers in April, besting CBS by +1.8 million (+30%).
Weekly Highlights:
- “Nightly News” averaged 1.7 million A25-54 viewers, outperforming CBS by +465,000 (+39%).
- “Nightly News” averaged 1.1 million A18-49 viewers, topping CBS by +285,000 (+34%).
- “Nightly News” averaged 7.7 million total viewers, besting CBS by +1.8 million (+31%).
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 April 23 – April 27, 2018:
| Total Viewers | A25-54 Rating | A25-54 Viewers | A18-49 Rating | A18-49 Viewers | |
| NBC | 7.710 | 1.38 | 1.671 | 0.86 | 1.113 |
| CBS | 5.893 | 1.00 | 1.206 | 0.64 | 0.828 |
| ABC | 8.310 | 1.42 | 1.708 | 0.89 | 1.147 |
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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
