Nightly News More than Triples its Demo Lead over ABC from the Same Week Last Season
Nightly News Ranks #1 among A25-54 and A18-49 for 65 of Last 66 Weeks
NEW YORK (November 1, 2016) – “NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt” ranked #1 in the demo for the 16th consecutive month in October 2016, averaging 2 million A25-54 viewers, outperforming ABC by +257,000 (+15%) and CBS by +500,000 (+33%). It was Nightly News’s best October demo average in three years, up +3% from October 2015. Nightly News won its 18th consecutive month in the A18-49 demo, averaging 1.492 million viewers, +214,000 (+17%) ahead of ABC and +431,000 (+41%) more than CBS.
For the week of October 24, Nightly News averaged 2 million A25-54 viewers, leading “ABC World News Tonight” by +165,000 (9%) and “CBS Evening News” by 367,000 (+23%). The NBC News broadcast more than tripled its demo lead over ABC versus the same week last season (+165,000 vs. +50,000 in 2015).
Among A18-49, Nightly News averaged 1.43 million viewers for the week, topping ABC by +160,000 (+13%) and CBS by + 309,000 (+28%). The NBC News broadcast has ranked #1 in A25-54 and A18-49 for 65 of the last 66 weeks. Nightly News added +22,000 A18-49 viewers compared to the same week last season, increasing its advantages over both ABC (+31%) and CBS (+55%) over that same time period.
Nightly News averaged 8.15 million total viewers for the week, leading CBS Evening News by +1.36 million (+20%). It was Nightly News’s best total viewer delivery in three weeks.
Monthly Highlights:
- Nightly News averaged 2.027 million A25-54 viewers in October 2016, outperforming ABC by +257,000 (+15%) and CBS by +500,000 (+33%).
- Nightly News won its 16th consecutive month in the demo and delivered its best October demo average in three years, up +3% from October 2015.
- Nightly News’s demo win was +88% higher than October 2015 (+257,000 vs. +137,000 last year).
- Nightly News won its 18th consecutive month in the A18-49 demo, averaging 1.492 million viewers, +214,000 (+17%) ahead of ABC and +431,000 (+41%) more than CBS.
- Nightly News improved its A18-49 average +6% from October 2015 and increased its lead over ABC by +31% from that same time period.
Weekly Highlights:
- Nightly News averaged 1.955 million A25-54 viewers, outperforming ABC by +165,000 (+9%) and CBS by +367,000 (+23%).
- Nightly News more than tripled its demo lead over ABC versus the same week last season (+165,000 vs. +50,000 in 2015).
- Nightly News has ranked #1 in A25-54 and A18-49 for 65 of the past 66 weeks.
- Nightly News averaged 1.425 million A18-49 viewers, topping ABC by +160,000 (+13%) and CBS by +309,000 (+28%).
- Nightly News added +22,000 A18-49 viewers (+2%) compared to the same week last season.
- Nightly News posted higher A18-49 advantages than a year ago vs. both ABC (+31%) and CBS (+55%).
- Nightly News averaged 8.15 million total viewers, leading CBS Evening News by +1.358 million (+20%). It was Nightly News’s best total viewer delivery in three weeks.
Week of October 24 – October 28, 2016:
| Total Viewers | A25-54 Rating | A25-54 Viewers | A18-49 Rating | A18-49 Viewers | |
| NBC | 8.147 | 1.63 | 1.955 | 1.11 | 1.425 |
| CBS | 6.789 | 1.32 | 1.588 | 0.87 | 1.116 |
| ABC | 8.187 | 1.49 | 1.790 | 0.99 | 1.265 |
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ABOUT NBC NIGHTLY NEWS WITH LESTER HOLT
“NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt” is America’s most-watched evening newscast, going beyond the day’s headlines to uncover stories of how people’s lives are affected by the world around them. “NBC Nightly News” reaches over 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:
Jake Urbanski
NBC News
212-664-3211
