#1 in Key Demo for 39 of the last 40 Months
#1 in Key Demo for 13 Consecutive Weeks
Only Broadcast to Grow Year Over Year in Total Viewers
OCTOBER 30, 2018 – NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt is the #1 most-watched broadcast in the key demo for the month of October, winning 39 of the last 40 months, according to Nielsen Media Research data. 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 five seasons.
The broadcast continues its strong performance in the key demo averaging 1.8 million A25-54 viewers this past month, beating ABC World News Tonight by +98,000 viewers (+6%) and CBS Evening News by +568,000 viewers (+48%).
Last Wednesday, Holt was the only evening news anchor to broadcast from outside New York City’s Time Warner Center, one of several prominent media and political targets across the country to receive pipe bomb packages. This past Sunday, Holt anchored a special edition of NBC Nightly News from Pittsburgh, reporting on the shooting at Tree of Life Congregation synagogue.
In October, Nightly News averaged 1.2 million A18-49 viewers, topping ABC by +98,000 viewers (+9%) and CBS by +389,000 viewers (+48%). The broadcast has won the A18-49 demo for 40 of the past 42 months.
7.9 million viewers tuned in to Nightly News for the month of October 2018, +2.0 million total viewers (+35%) more than CBS Evening News, its largest October advantage in four years.
For the week of October 22, the broadcast averaged 1.8 million A25-54 viewers, growing week-over-week and besting ABC World News Tonight by +21,000 viewers (+1%) and CBS Evening News by +599,000 viewers (+51%). Nightly News has won the key demo for 13 consecutive weeks.
Nightly News averaged 1.2 million A18-49 viewers, growing week-over-week and topping ABC World News Tonight by +68,000 viewers (+6%) and CBS Evening News by +378,000 viewers (+46%).
8.2 million total viewers tuned in to Nightly News for the week of October 22 leading CBS Evening News by 2.4 million total viewers (+41%). Nightly News was the only broadcast to grow its total viewer audience year over year.
Follow Nightly News on Twitter and on Facebook for the latest.
# # #
Monthly Highlights:
- Nightly News averaged 1.8 million A25-54 viewers, outperforming ABC by +98,000 (+6%) CBS by +568,000 (+48%).
- Nightly News has ranked #1 in A25-54 for 39 of the last 40 months.
- Nightly News averaged 1.2 million A18-49 viewers, topping ABC by +98,000 (+9%) and CBS by +389,000 (+48%).
- Nightly News has ranked #1 in A18-49 for 40 of the last 42 months.
- Nightly News averaged 7.9 million viewers in October, besting CBS by +2.0 million (+35%).
Weekly Highlights:
- Nightly News averaged 1.8 million A25-54 viewers, outperforming ABC by +21,000 viewers (+1%) and CBS by +599,000 (+51%).
- Nightly News has won the key demo for 13 consecutive weeks.
- Nightly News averaged 1.2 million A18-49 viewers, topping ABC by +68,000 (+6%) and CBS by +378,000 (+46%).
- Nightly News averaged 8.2 million total viewers, beating CBS by +2.4 million (+41%).
- Nightly News was the only broadcast to grow its total viewer 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 five seasons.
Week of October 22 – October 26, 2018:
| Total Viewers | A25-54 Rating | A25-54 Viewers | A18-49 Rating | A18-49 Viewers | |
| NBC | 8.185 | 1.47 | 1.772 | 0.93 | 1.201 |
| CBS | 5.797 | 0.97 | 1.173 | 0.64 | 0.823 |
| ABC | 8.376 | 1.45 | 1.751 | 0.88 | 1.133 |
# # #
ABOUT NBC NIGHTLY NEWS WITH LESTER HOLT
NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt is the most-watched evening newscast in America among the key news demo for the past 21 seasons. The broadcast provides the very latest on the day’s top stories, going beyond the headlines to add context and analysis to the most pressing issues of our time. 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 Jenn Suozzo is the executive producer.
# # #
For more information contact:
TJ Ducklo
NBC News
212-664-1913
Rachel Zuckerman
NBC News
212-664-3996
