‘DATELINE NBC’ TOPS ABC’S ‘20/20’ ACROSS THE BOARD FOR 5TH CONSECUTIVE QUARTER

July 3, 2018 – “Dateline NBC” topped ABC’s “20/20” across the board for the fifth consecutive quarter, posting its largest 2Q lead over ABC in total viewers since 2000. NBC’s Friday newsmagazine averaged 4.1 million total viewers, leading “20/20” by +1.2 million (+44%) and increased its advantage over ABC by +40% (+357,000) versus 2Q’17. Versus the prior quarter, “Dateline” nearly tripled its lead over “20/20” in total viewers (+768,000). “Dateline” was also up +6% (+241,000) in total viewers versus the prior quarter while “20/20” was down -16% (-527,000) in that same category.

Among the 18-49 demo, “Dateline” averaged 873,000 viewers, +222,000 (+34%) more than ABC, increasing its lead over “20/20” by +19% (+35,000) vs. 2Q’17 and tripling (+146,000) its lead vs. the prior quarter. This marked the shows’ largest 2Q lead over ABC in A18-49 since 1999.

Additionally, “Dateline” won the key A25-54 news demo for the second quarter period, averaging 1.2 million viewers and topping the network by +346,000 (+39%), its largest 2Q lead over ABC in 15 years. “Dateline” was up +2% (+22,000) in A25-54 vs. the prior quarter while ABC was down -18% (-196,000) in the same demo. The NBC newsmagazine improved its advantage over ABC by +57% (+126,000) versus 2Q’17 and nearly tripled (+218,000) its lead over ABC versus the prior quarter.

Q2 Highlights:

• “Dateline” averaged 4.1 million total viewers, leading ABC by +1.241 million (+44%).
• This marks the broadcast’s largest 2Q lead over “20/20” since 2000.
• “Dateline” averaged 873,000 A18-49 viewers, leading ABC by +222,000 (+34%).
• This represents “Dateline’s” biggest 2Q A18-49 advantage over ABC since 1999.
• NBC’s Friday newsmagazine averaged 1.2 million A25-54 viewers, leading ABC by +346,000 (+39%).

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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/9 p.m. CT, Saturdays at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT and Sundays at 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT., “Dateline” reaches more than 18 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.