TODAY Posts 16 Consecutive Weeks of Total Viewer Growth vs. Prior Year — Best Streak Since 2011
NEW YORK – May 21, 2026 – NBC News’ TODAY was the No. 1 morning show across the board for the week of May 11, topping ABC’s “Good Morning America” and CBS Mornings in total viewers, A25-54 and A18-49, according to Nielsen Media Research.
TODAY ranked No. 1 in total viewers for the 17th consecutive week — its longest winning streak since April 2012 — and delivered its 28th weekly win of the season. The program also posted its largest total viewer advantages over GMA and CBS in five weeks.
TODAY averaged 2.990 million total viewers, outperforming GMA by +222,000 (+8%) and CBS by +1.254 million (+72%). The broadcast has now beaten CBS in total viewers for 1,761 consecutive weeks and led CBS by more than one million viewers for 22 straight weeks, its longest such streak since May 2015.
Compared to the same week last year, TODAY posted the largest total viewer increase among the morning shows, growing by +268,000 viewers (+10%). The program has now delivered 16 consecutive weeks of year-over-year total viewer growth, its longest streak since August 2011.
TODAY also remained the No. 1 morning show in the key A25-54 demo, averaging 617,000 viewers and beating GMA by +164,000 (+36%) and CBS by +338,000 (+121%). TODAY delivered its biggest A25-54 advantage over GMA in nine weeks and over CBS in five weeks, while topping GMA by at least 100,000 demo viewers for the 16th straight week.
TODAY Highlights
- No. 1 morning show across the board for the week and season-to-date
- No. 1 in total viewers for the 17th consecutive week — longest streak since April 2012
- 16 consecutive weeks of total viewer growth vs. prior year — best streak since August 2011
- Largest total viewer advantages over GMA and CBS in five weeks
- Defeated CBS by more than one million total viewers for the 22nd consecutive week
- Biggest A25-54 lead over GMA in nine weeks and CBS in five weeks
- Only morning show to grow A25-54 audience versus prior year
- Only morning show to grow week-over-week in A18-49 viewers
Weekly Ratings Performance
Total Viewers
TODAY averaged 2.990 million total viewers, leading GMA by +222,000 (+8%) and CBS by +1.254 million (+72%).
Versus the prior week, all three programs declined in total viewers, with TODAY down only -2% compared to GMA (-4%) and CBS (-5%). TODAY widened its lead over GMA by 33% week-over-week.
Compared to the same week last year, TODAY delivered the largest year-over-year total viewer growth among the morning programs (+10%), while turning a prior-year deficit versus GMA into a +222,000 viewer advantage.
A25-54
TODAY averaged 617,000 A25-54 viewers, topping GMA by +164,000 (+36%) and CBS by +338,000 (+121%)..
Compared to the same week last year, TODAY was the only morning show to grow in A25-54 viewers, increasing by +50,000 (+9%).
A18-49
TODAY averaged 416,000 A18-49 viewers, outperforming GMA by +83,000 (+25%) and CBS by +233,000 (+127%).
Versus the same week last year, TODAY delivered the largest A18-49 increase among the morning programs, growing by +71,000 viewers (+21%).
Season-to-Date
Season-to-date, TODAY remains the No. 1 morning news program across television in total viewers, A25-54 and A18-49.
In total viewers, TODAY is posting the largest year-over-year growth among the morning programs (+5%, or +151,000 viewers) and leads GMA by +118,000 viewers — its widest season advantage in 14 years. TODAY’s +1.154 million lead over CBS is its largest in 11 years.
In A25-54, TODAY is No. 1 for the 11th consecutive season and holds a +331,000 advantage over CBS — its largest demo lead in four years.
In A18-49, TODAY is No. 1 for the 13th consecutive season and leads CBS by +208,000 viewers, its best advantage in four years.
Source: Nielsen Updated Big Data + Panel, L+SD, 5/11/26-5/17/26 and 2025-26 season-to-date averages based on regular telecasts only.
