#1 Most Watched Season-to-Date in Key Demo
Largest Key Demo Advantage Over ABC in Seven Weeks
Grows Across the Board Week Over Week
MAY 22, 2018 – “NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt” is the #1 most-watched evening broadcast in the key news demo for the week of May 14, according to Nielsen Media Research data.
The broadcast continues its dominance in the key demo, averaging 1.7 million A25-54 viewers and beating “ABC World News Tonight” by +112,000 viewers (+7%) and “CBS Evening News” by +528,000 viewers (+44%). “Nightly News” has won the demo 7 out of the last 9 weeks and delivered its largest key demo advantage over ABC in seven weeks. The broadcast grew year-over-year in the key demo (+1%, +22,000) and showed the greatest growth among the three networks in the key demo vs the prior week (+13%, +194,000). Nightly was also the only broadcast to show double digit week-over-week growth in the key demo.
Last week, Holt anchored the broadcast from Santa Fe, Texas to report on the deadly school shooting that occurred Friday morning. Prior to travelling to Texas, Holt anchored two NBC News Special Reports from New York as reports of the incident unfolded. On Saturday morning, Holt provided two updates on the tragedy, reporting live from Santa Fe High School during NBC’s special coverage of the Royal Wedding.
For the week of May 14, “Nightly News” is the most-watched broadcast among A18-49 viewers averaging 1.2 million, topping ABC by +61,000 viewers (+5%) and CBS by +328,000 viewers (+38%).
7.8 million total viewers tuned in to “Nightly News” for the week of May 14, besting “CBS Evening News” by 2.1 million total viewers (+36%) and posting year-over-year (+5%, +387,000) and week-over-week growth (+6%, +453,000).
“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 seven seasons.
Follow “Nightly News” on Twitter and on Facebook for the latest.
# # #
Weekly Highlights:
- “Nightly News” averaged 1.7 million A25-54 viewers, outperforming ABC by +112,000 viewers (+7%) and CBS by +528,000 (+44%).
- “Nightly News” averaged 1.2 million A18-49 viewers, topping ABC by +61,000 (+5%) and CBS by +328,000 (+38%).
- “Nightly News” averaged 7.8 million total viewers, beating CBS by +2.1 million (+36%).
- “Nightly News” was the only broadcast to show double digit week-over-week growth in the key demo.
- “Nightly News” grew year-over-year in the key demo and total viewers and grew across the board week-over week.
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 seven seasons.
Week of May 14 – May 18, 2018:
| Total Viewers | A25-54 Rating | A25-54 Viewers | A18-49 Rating | A18-49 Viewers | |
| NBC | 7.796 | 1.44 | 1.736 | 0.92 | 1.190 |
| CBS | 5.731 | 1.00 | 1.208 | 0.67 | 0.862 |
| ABC | 8.154 | 1.35 | 1.624 | 0.88 | 1.129 |
# # #
Weekly Highlights:
- “Nightly News” averaged 1.7 million A25-54 viewers, outperforming ABC by +112,000 viewers (+7%) and CBS by +528,000 (+44%).
- “Nightly News” averaged 1.2 million A18-49 viewers, topping ABC by +61,000 (+5%) and CBS by +328,000 (+38%).
- “Nightly News” averaged 7.8 million total viewers, beating CBS by +2.1 million (+36%).
- “Nightly News” was the only broadcast to show double digit week-over-week growth in both younger demos.
- “Nightly News” grew year-over-year in the key demo and total viewers and grew across the board week-over week.
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 seven seasons.
Week of May 14 – May 18, 2018:
| Total Viewers | A25-54 Rating | A25-54 Viewers | A18-49 Rating | A18-49 Viewers | |
| NBC | 7.796 | 1.44 | 1.736 | 0.92 | 1.190 |
| CBS | 5.731 | 1.00 | 1.208 | 0.67 | 0.862 |
| ABC | 8.154 | 1.35 | 1.624 | 0.88 | 1.129 |
# # #
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:
TJ Ducklo
NBC News
212-664-1913
Rachel Zuckerman
NBC News
212-664-3996
