Remains #1 Most-Watched News Magazine & True-Crime Franchise with Viewers Consuming Over 137.5 Billion Minutes of ‘Dateline’
‘Dateline’ Showcast Feed Hits 2 Billion Downloads, ‘Dateline 24/7’ Delivers 7th Consecutive Record Season
Empire State Building to Light Up Thursday to Celebrate 35th Season Premiere
September 22, 2026 – Dateline wins Friday nights in the key demos for the 2025-2026 broadcast season, topping ABC’s 20/20 for the second consecutive season, most recently by double digits. According to Nielsen Media Research, Dateline averaged 743,000 A25-54 viewers, topping 20/20 by +81,000 (+12%). Among A18-49 viewers, Dateline averaged 528,000, beating ABC by +58,000 (+13%). Dateline also averaged 3.5 million total viewers.
The broadcast remains the #1 most-watched news magazine franchise and #1 most-watched true-crime franchise in total linear minutes watched for the season, with 151.2 million total viewers, up +4% vs. last season. Viewers also consumed over 137.5 billion minutes of Dateline across TV and digital platforms, up +2% vs. last season. Dateline 24/7 marked its 7th consecutive record season, while Dateline’s showcast feed hit 2 billion downloads.
During the season, Dateline launched multiple podcasts, including Before & After with Lester Holt, presented its first live event in Nashville and featured extensive reports on the trial of Luigi Mangione, the tragedy at Camp Mystic and the passing of Dolly Parton. Dateline also debuted Dateline en Español, an always-on streaming channel hosted by Noticias Telemundo and Weekend NBC Nightly News anchor José Díaz-Balart.
On Thursday, September 24, the Empire State Building will shine light blue in celebration of Dateline’s 35th season. The building hosted a special lighting ceremony earlier today with anchor Lester Holt and correspondents Blayne Alexander, Andrea Canning and Josh Mankiewicz. A photo is below.
The 35th season of Dateline kicks off this Friday at 9 p.m. ET.
Credit: Empire State Realty Trust
For more information, contact:
Dominique Donahue
Dominique.Donahue@nbcuni.com
Liam Dahlborn
