#1 in A25-54 and A18-49 for 10 Quarters in a Row
#1 in Key Demo for 80 Consecutive Weeks
#1 in A18-49 for 32 Consecutive Months, 80 Straight Weeks
JANUARY 3, 2018 – “NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt” is the #1 most-watched broadcast in the key demo for the month of December 2017, winning 30 straight months, according to Nielsen Research data.
The broadcast continues its winning streak among A25-54 viewers, averaging 2.1 million A25-54 viewers in December 2017, beating “ABC World News Tonight” by +209,000 viewers (+11%) and “CBS Evening News” by +699,000 viewers (+50%).
Now for 32 consecutive months, “Nightly News” is also the most-watched among A18-49 viewers, averaging 1.5 million and topping ABC by +229,000 viewers (+18%) and CBS by +531,000 viewers (+55%).
8.9 million total viewers tuned in to “Nightly News” for the month of December 2017: +2.1 million total viewers (+31%) more than “CBS Evening News.”
“Nightly News” is #1 in the key demo and A18-49 viewers for the fourth quarter of 2017, marking 10 straight quarter wins in both demos. “Nightly News” averaged 2.0 million A24-54 viewers, outperforming ABC by 126,000 (+7%) and CBS by +579,000 (+42%). An average of 1.4 million A18-49 viewers tuned in, +152,000 (+12%) more than ABC and +460,000 (+50%) ahead of CBS. 8.5 million total viewers tuned into “Nightly News” this quarter, topping CBS by +1.9 million (+29%).
For the week of December 25, “Nightly News” was #1 in the key demo for the 80th straight week, averaging 2.0 million A25-54 viewers, leading ABC by +106,000 viewers (+6%) and CBS by +527,000 viewers (+36%). For 125 of the past 126 weeks, Nightly News was also the most-watched among A18-49 viewers, averaging 1.5 million and topping ABC by +157,000 viewers (+12%) and CBS by +462,000 viewers (+46%). 8.7 million total viewers tuned in to “Nightly News” for the week of December 25 besting “CBS Evening News” by +1.9 million total viewers (+27%).
“Nightly News” continues as the #1 most-watched evening newscast season-to-date in the key demo, delivering its largest demo lead over CBS in four seasons.
For the week of December 25, “Nightly News” rated for three nights (Dec. 26, Dec. 27, and Dec. 28) due to the Christmas and New Year’s holiday. Craig Melvin anchored Tuesday, December 26 – Thursday, December 28 and Kate Snow anchored on Friday, December 29.
The broadcast also continues to dominate its competition on social media with more followers on Facebook and a sevenfold advantage in Twitter engagement compared to “CBS Evening News.”
Follow Nightly News on Twitter and on Facebook for the latest.
# # #
Q4 2017 Highlights:
- “Nightly News” averaged 2.0 million A25-54 viewers, outperforming ABC by +126,000 (+7%) and CBS by +579,000 (+42%).
- “Nightly News” ranked #1 in A25-54 for the 10th consecutive quarter.
- “Nightly News” averaged 1.4 million A18-49 viewers, +152,000 (+12%) higher than ABC and +460,000 (+50%) better than CBS.
- “Nightly News” ranked #1 in A18-49 for the 10th consecutive quarter.
- “Nightly News” averaged 8.5 million total viewers, leading CBS by +1.9 million viewers (+29%)
Month Highlights:
- “Nightly News” averaged 2.1 million A25-54 viewers, outperforming ABC by +209,000 viewers (+11%) and CBS by +699,000 (+50%).
- “Nightly News” has ranked #1 in A25-54 for 30 consecutive months.
- “Nightly News” averaged 1.5 million A18-49 viewers, topping ABC by +229,000 (+18%) and CBS by +531,000 (+55%).
- Among A18-49 viewers, “Nightly News” is #1 for 32 consecutive months.
- “Nightly News” averaged 8.9 million total viewers, besting CBS by +2.1 million (+31%).
Weekly Highlights:
- “Nightly News” averaged 2.0 million A25-54 viewers, outperforming ABC by +106,000 viewers (+6%) and CBS by +527,000 (+36%).
- “Nightly News” has ranked #1 in A25-54 for 80 consecutive weeks.
- “Nightly News” averaged 1.5 million A18-49 viewers, topping ABC by +157,000 (+12%) and CBS by +462,000 (+46%).
- Among A18-49 viewers, “Nightly News” has won 125 of the last 126 weeks.
- “Nightly News” averaged 7 million total viewers, beating CBS by +1.9 million (+27%).
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 four seasons.
Week of December 25 – December 29, 2017:
| Total Viewers | A25-54 Rating | A25-54 Viewers | A18-49 Rating | A18-49 Viewers | |
| NBC | 8.718 | 1.66 | 2.001 | 1.14 | 1.471 |
| CBS | 6.852 | 1.22 | 1.474 | 0.78 | 1.009 |
| ABC | 9.369 | 1.57 | 1.895 | 1.02 | 1.314 |
# # #
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.
# # #
For more information contact:
Rachel Zuckerman
NBC News
212-664-3996
