CBS Evening News Has More Viewers Than ABC’s World News Tonight

First time since 2001; NBC still firmly #1

For the first time in nearly five years, the CBS Evening News is the #2 evening newscast, beating World News Tonight among total viewers.

Last week, CBS averaged 7.39 viewers, while ABC had 7.31 million. NBC beat both nets by more than a million. ABC still edged CBS in households. CBS last beat ABC in total viewers on Aug. 3, 2001.

Today’s press release quotes president Sean McManus. “I continue to stress with our team that if you put on a better show day in and day out, our ratings will increase,” he says. “That is what I believe is happening here.”

> Also quoting the release: “Season-to-date, the CBS EVENING NEWS increased its total viewers by +280,000 (7.59 million from 7.31 million) and increased +2% in households (5.3/10 from 5.2/10), while NBC and ABC decreased in total viewers and households compared to the same period last year.”