NBC’s ‘Nightly News’ Outperforms ABC’s ‘World News Tonight’ in Crucial Ratings Demo

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NBC’s “Nightly News” Outperforms ABC’s “World News Tonight” in Key Ratings Demo

In a recent ratings battle, NBC’s “Nightly News” emerged victorious over ABC’s “World News Tonight” in the key 25-54 demographic. The numbers for the week of Dec. 18 to Dec. 21 revealed that “Nightly News,” hosted by Lester Holt, garnered 6.85 million total average viewers, marking a significant improvement of 195,000 viewers compared to the previous week. On the other hand, ABC’s “World News Tonight,” hosted by David Muir, attracted 7.63 million total average viewers, while CBS’s “Evening News” scored 4.90 million total average viewers.

Closing the Gap

“Nightly News” managed to reduce its total viewership gap with ABC by 25% week-over-week and by 27% year-over-year. Moreover, the show has narrowed its viewership gap with ABC by 18% for the current season.

Dominating the 25-54 Demo

In the crucial 25-54 demographic, NBC’s “Nightly News” surpassed all broadcast news programs, securing 1.06 million viewers in the age range. ABC followed closely with 985,000 viewers, and CBS trailed with 681,000 viewers. This victory marked NBC’s largest advantage over ABC in the 25-54 age range since March 2020.

Consistent Success

“Nightly News” maintained its lead in the demo over ABC for four consecutive evenings, from Dec. 15 to Dec. 19, marking the longest daily winning streak in nearly four years. The show’s season-to-date performance has shown significant improvement across the board, with a 74% increase in the A25-54 demo compared to the previous year.

Looking Ahead

NBC’s strong performance in the A18-49 demographic, with “Nightly News” averaging 715,000 viewers, indicates a promising trajectory for the show. The network has narrowed the gap with ABC by 68% for the season-to-date, showcasing its continued growth and success in the competitive news landscape.