# 1 in A25-54 and A18-49 for 13 of Last 14 Quarters
Increases Lead over ABC and CBS vs Prior Quarter in Both Younger Demos
#1 in A25-54 for 41 of the Last 42 Months; #1 in A18-49 for 42 of the Last 44 Months
January 2, 2019 – “NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt” ranked #1 in the demo for the fourth quarter of 2018, averaging 1.8 million A25-54 viewers, leading ABC by +70,000 (+4%) and CBS by +591,000 (+47%). “Nightly News” has won 13 of the last 14 quarters in the demo, improving its lead over ABC by +2,000 and CBS by +58,000 compared to the previous quarter. “Nightly News” had its highest fourth quarter lead over CBS in five years.
“Nightly News” averaged 1.3 million A18-49 viewers for Q4 2018, topping ABC by +67,000 (+6%) and CBS by +380,000 (+43%). The NBC News broadcast has won 13 of the last 14 quarters in the A18-49 demo. Compared to last quarter, “Nightly News” nearly doubled its margin over ABC, improving its lead by +33,000 and increasing its lead over CBS by +42,000. 8.4 million total viewers tuned into “Nightly News” this quarter, topping CBS by +2.2 million (+36%). “Nightly News” posted its best fourth quarter lead over CBS in seven years.
For December 2018, “Nightly News” averaged 1.9 million A25-54 viewers, +31,000 (+2%) more than ABC and +595,000 (+47%) more than CBS. The NBC News broadcast ranks #1 in A25-54 for the sixth consecutive month, and 41 of the last 42 months. This past month, the broadcast averaged 1.3 million A18-49 viewers, +30,000 (+2%) more than ABC and +355,000 (+40%) more than CBS. “Nightly News” ranks #1 in A18-49 for 6 consecutive months, and 42 of the last 44 months. 8.6 million total viewers tuned into “Nightly News” this month, topping CBS by +2.3 million (+36%).
For the week of December 24, “Nightly News” averaged 1.7 million A25-54 viewers, leading CBS by +520,000 (+44%). Among A18-49, “Nightly News” averaged 1.2 million viewers for the week, leading CBS by +325,000 (+39%). 8.0 million total viewers tuned into “Nightly News” last week, besting CBS by 2.0 million total viewers (+34%)
“Nightly News” continues as the #1 most-watched evening newscast season-to-date in the key demo and adults 18-49. “Nightly News’” current advantage over CBS in the key demo is its best in 5 seasons.
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Q4 2018 Highlights:
- “Nightly News” averaged 1.8 million A25-54 viewers, outperforming ABC by +70,000 (+4%) and CBS by +591,000 (+47%).
- “Nightly News” ranked #1 in A25-54 for 13 of the last 14 quarters
- “Nightly News” averaged 1.3 million A18-49 viewers, +67,000 (+6%) higher than ABC and +380,000 (+43%) better than CBS.
- “Nightly News” ranked #1 in A18-49 for the 13 of the past 14 quarters.
- “Nightly News” averaged 8.4 million total viewers, leading CBS by +2.2 million viewers (+36%).
- “Nightly News” posted its best fourth quarter lead over CBS in seven years.
December 2018 Highlights:
- “Nightly News” averaged 1.9 million A25-54 viewers, outperforming ABC by +31,000 (+2%) and CBS by +595,000 (+47%)
- “Nightly News” has ranked #1 in A25-54 for 41 of the last 42 months, and the last 6 consecutive months
- “Nightly News” averaged 1.3 million A18-49 viewers, topping ABC by +30,000 (+2%) and CBS by +355,000 (+40%)
- Among A18-49 viewers, Nightly News is #1 for 42 of the last 44 months, and the last 6 consecutive months
- “Nightly News” averaged 8.6 million total viewers, besting CBS by +2.3 million (+36%).
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 December 24 – December 28, 2018:
| Total Viewers | A25-54 Rating | A25-54 Viewers | A18-49 Rating | A18-49 Viewers | |
| NBC | 7.981 | 1.41 | 1.706 | 0.90 | 1.161 |
| CBS | 5.974 | 0.98 | 1.186 | 0.65 | 0.836 |
| ABC | 8.798 | 1.48 | 1.784 | 0.94 | 1.209 |
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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
o: (212) 664-1913
e: TJ.Ducklo@nbcuni.com
