“NBC NIGHTLY NEWS WITH LESTER HOLT” IS #1

#1 Most Watched Season-to-Date in Key Demo

Holt Talks Criminal Justice Reform with Meek Mill and Remy Ma at Essence Festival in New Orleans

JULY 10, 2018 – “NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt” is the #1 most-watched evening broadcast in the key news demo for the week of July 2, according to Nielsen Media Research data.

The broadcast continues its strong performance in the key demo, growing week-over-week and averaging 1.5 million A25-54 viewers. The broadcast beat “ABC World News Tonight” by +45,000 viewers (+3%) and “CBS Evening News” by +423,000 viewers (+38%). 

On Saturday, Holt discussed criminal justice reform with Meek Mill and Remy Ma at ESSENCE Festival in New Orleans. Mill discussed his work, which focuses on the probation system, noting that his fame gives him a platform as well as his belief that: “We need to break the system and rearrange it”

Remy Ma spoke about the post-incarceration system and the impact it has on women: “You never really finish paying your debt to society.” 

Additionally, Holt moderated a panel on the power of women in politics with four female African-American mayors including Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson of Gary, Indiana; Mayor Vi Lyles of Charlotte, North Carolina; Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms of Atlanta, Georgia; and Mayor LaToya Cantrell of New Orleans, Louisiana.

This week, Holt led NBC News’ special coverage of President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee announcement.

For the week of July 2, “Nightly News” is the most-watched broadcast among A18-49 viewers, growing week-over-week and averaging 1.1 million. “Nightly News” bested ABC by +23,000 viewers (+2%) and CBS by +305,000 viewers (+40%).

7.3 million total viewers tuned in to “Nightly News” for the week of July 2, topping “CBS Evening News” by 1.7 million total viewers (+30%). Additionally, “Nightly News” grew its total audience week-over-week and year-over-year.

“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 six seasons.

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Weekly Highlights:

  • “Nightly News” averaged 1.5 million A25-54 viewers, outperforming ABC by +45,000 viewers (+3%) and CBS by +423,000 (+38%).
  • “Nightly News” averaged 1.1 million A18-49 viewers, topping ABC by +23,000 (+2%) and CBS by +305,000 (+40%).
  • “Nightly News” averaged 7.3 million total viewers, beating CBS by +1.7 million (+30%).
  • “Nightly News” grew its week-over-week audience across the board.
  • “Nightly News” grew its total audience year-over-year.

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 six seasons.

Week of July 2 – July 6, 2018:

  Total Viewers     A25-54 Rating     A25-54 Viewers     A18-49 Rating     A18-49 Viewers    
NBC     7.304 1.28 1.548 0.84 1.077
CBS 5.630 0.93 1.125 0.60 0.772
ABC 7.666 1.25 1.503 0.82 1.054

 

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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

tj.ducklo@nbcuni.com

Rachel Zuckerman

NBC News

212-664-3996

rachel.zuckerman@nbcuni.com