‘Dateline’ Posts Its Best Ever May Sweep Advantages in Total Viewer & A18-49 Over ABC
Delivers Best A25-54 Advantage Over ABC in 18 Years
May 22, 2018 – “Dateline NBC” topped ABC’s “20/20” across the board for the fifth consecutive sweep period, posting its biggest May sweep advantages ever over ABC in total viewers and A18-49. NBC’s Friday newsmagazine averaged 4.3 million total viewers, leading ABC by +1.927 million (+81%), and increased its lead over the network by +50% (+639,000) vs. the prior year and +191% (+1.265 million) vs. the prior sweep period.
Among the 18-49 demo, “Dateline” averaged 923,000 viewers, +363,000 (+65%) more than ABC, increasing its lead over “20/20” by +101% (+182,000) vs. the prior year and +224% (+251,000) vs. the prior sweep period. This marked the show’s best May sweep lead over “20/20” ever.
“Dateline” also won the A25-54 demo for the May 2018 period, averaging 1.3 million viewers, leading 20/20 by +539,000 (+70%). Dateline increased its lead over “20/20” by +125% (+299,000) vs. the prior year and +208% (+364,000) vs. the prior sweep period. In the key news demo, the broadcast posted its best May sweep lead over “20/20 “in 18 years (since May 2000).
May Sweep Highlights:
- “Dateline” averaged 4.3 million total viewers, leading ABC’s “20/20” by +1.927 million (+81%).
- This represents “Dateline’s” biggest May sweeps win ever over ABC in total viewers & A18-49.
- Among A18-49, “Dateline” averaged 923,000 viewers, topping ABC by+363,000 (+65%).
- “Dateline” averaged 1.3 million A25-54 viewers, leading ABC by +539,000 (+70%).
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ABOUT “DATELINE”
“Dateline” is the longest-running series in NBC primetime history. In its 26th season, “Dateline” is anchored by Lester Holt and features correspondents Andrea Canning, Josh Mankiewicz, Keith Morrison and Dennis Murphy. Airing Fridays at 10 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT and Sundays at 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m CT. “Dateline” reaches more than 20 million people every week through its broadcast, and millions more through its social media platforms. David Corvo is the senior executive producer, and Liz Cole is the executive producer. Follow Dateline on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
