TODAY Delivers 17 Straight Weeks of Year-Over-Year Total Viewer Growth
Season-to-Date, TODAY Posts Its Largest Total Viewer Advantage Over GMA in 14 Years
NEW YORK – May 28, 2026 – NBC News’ TODAY was the No. 1 morning show across the board for the week of May 18, 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 18th consecutive week — its longest winning streak since April 2012 — and secured its 29th weekly win of the season. The broadcast posted its largest total viewer advantage over GMA in six weeks and improved its lead week-over-week.
TODAY averaged 2.969 million total viewers, outperforming GMA by +229,000 (+8%) and CBS by +1.072 million (+57%). The program has now topped CBS in total viewers for 1,762 consecutive weeks and has led CBS by more than one million viewers for 23 straight weeks, its longest streak since May 2015.
Compared to the same week last year, TODAY was the only morning program to grow its total audience, increasing by +230,000 viewers (+8%). The show has now posted 17 consecutive weeks of year-over-year total viewer growth, its longest streak since August 2011.
TODAY also remained the No. 1 morning show in A25-54 for the 129th consecutive week, averaging 562,000 viewers and leading GMA by +126,000 (+29%) and CBS by +240,000 (+75%). TODAY has now outperformed GMA by at least 100,000 demo viewers for 17 straight weeks.
In A18-49, TODAY ranked No. 1 for the 31st consecutive week with 395,000 viewers, topping GMA by +72,000 (+22%) and CBS by +203,000 (+106%). TODAY more than doubled CBS’ A18-49 audience for the 23rd time this season.
TODAY Highlights
- No. 1 morning show across the board for the week and season-to-date
- No. 1 in total viewers for the 18th consecutive week — longest streak since April 2012
- 17 consecutive weeks of year-over-year total viewer growth — best streak since August 2011
- Largest total viewer advantage over GMA in six weeks
- Defeated CBS by more than one million total viewers for the 23rd consecutive week
- No. 1 in A25-54 for the 129th consecutive week
- 17 consecutive weeks of 100,000+ A25-54 victories over GMA
- No. 1 in A18-49 for the 31st consecutive week
- TODAY more than doubled CBS’ A18-49 delivery for the 23rd time this season
- TODAY has now delivered year-over-year A18-49 growth in 15 of the last 17 weeks
Weekly Ratings Performance
Total Viewers
TODAY averaged 2.969 million total viewers, outperforming GMA by +229,000 (+8%) and CBS by +1.072 million (+57%).
Week-over-week, TODAY widened its margin over GMA by 3%, extending its lead to +229,000 viewers from +222,000 the previous week.
Versus the same week last year, TODAY was the only morning program to post total viewer growth, adding +230,000 viewers (+8%). TODAY also increased its advantage over CBS by 59% year-over-year.
A25-54
TODAY delivered 562,000 A25-54 viewers, ahead of GMA by +126,000 (+29%) and CBS by +240,000 (+75%).
TODAY has ranked No. 1 over GMA in the key demo for 129 straight weeks and has led by at least +100,000 A25-54 viewers for 17 consecutive weeks.
Compared to the same week last year, TODAY expanded its A25-54 lead over GMA by 24%.
A18-49
TODAY averaged 395,000 A18-49 viewers, topping GMA by +72,000 (+22%) and CBS by +203,000 (+106%).
TODAY has led GMA in A18-49 for 31 consecutive weeks while extending its streak over CBS to 1,762 straight weeks.
Compared to prior year, TODAY grew its A18-49 audience by +34,000 viewers (+9%) and widened its competitive advantages over both GMA (+18%) and CBS (+29%).
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 +153,000 viewers) and leads GMA by +121,000 viewers — its widest season advantage in 14 years. TODAY’s +1.152 million lead over CBS is its largest in 11 years.
In A25-54, TODAY is No. 1 for the 11th consecutive season and holds its largest advantage over CBS in five 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, 5/18/26-5/24/26 and 2025-26 season-to-date averages based on regular telecasts only.
