"Meet the Press" Would Like To Remind You That They're Still #1

Particularly boastful spots italicized by FishbowlDC:

NBC PROGRAM IS NO. 1 IN TOTAL VIEWERS, HOMES AND AMONG THE KEY DEMOGRAPHIC ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

“MEET THE PRESS” TOPS ABC IN THE KEY DEMO ADULTS 25-54, ABC PLACES THIRD

According to national Nielsen Media Research data, “Meet the Press” was the top-rated Sunday morning public affairs program on Sunday, August 5, 2007, placing first in total viewers, homes and in the key demographic adults 25-54. On Sunday, the Russert-moderated program attracted 2.946 million total viewers, an impressive +35% advantage (+760,000) over ABC “This Week’s” 2.186 million, a +40% lead (+849,000) over CBS “Face the Nation’s” 2.097 million, and +174% more (+1,872,000) than FOX “News Sunday’s” 1.074 million. CNN’s “Late Edition’s” two-hour program averaged 513,000 viewers. The rebroadcasts of “Meet the Press” on MSNBC delivered an additional 515,000 total viewers last Sunday night.

Contrary to published reports earlier this week, “Meet the Press” was No. 1 in the key demographic adults 25-54, while CBS placed second, and ABC was third. The NBC program had 821,000 viewers (0.7) in the key demographic, CBS placed second with 820,000 (0.7), ABC was third with 741,000 (0.6), and FOX had 486,000 (0.4). CNN averaged 110,000 in the key demographic.

In homes nationally, the NBC program outperformed the other Sunday shows, posting a 2.3 rating and a 7 share. ABC had a 1.7/6, CBS was third with a 1.6/5, and FOX was fourth with a 0.9/3.

In Washington, D.C., “Meet the Press” dominated the competition with 92,000 viewers (3.0/9), 74% more than second place CBS’ 53,000 viewers (1.7/5), a 119% advantage over FOX’s 42,000 (1.7/5), and a staggering 163% lead over ABC’s 35,000 (1.1/3).

Last week’s guest was Robert Gates, Secretary of Defense. Roundtable guests included Carl Bernstein, author, “A Woman in Charge: The Life of Hillary Rodham Clinton,” David Brody, senior national correspondent, Christian Broadcasting Network; Doris Kearns Goodwin, Presidential historian; and David Mendell, Chicago Tribune and author, “Obama: From Promise to Power.”

Please note: ABC’s “This Week” featured a debate with Republican presidential candidates.

ABC has its own press release out, and they’re boasting a win over CBS:

“THIS WEEK” BEATS “FACE THE NATION” AMONG TOTAL VIEWERS- 13th TIME THIS SEASON –

According to Nielsen Media Research for Sunday, August 5, 2007, ABC News “This Week with George Stephanopoulos” outperformed CBS’ “Face the Nation” in Total Viewers. This is the 13th time this season “This Week” outperformed “Face” in Total Viewers.

For the third quarter to date, “This Week” was the only Sunday morning program to increase in Total Viewers (2%) while CBS’ “Face the Nation” was down 20% and NBC’s “Meet the Press” dropped 10%. In addition, “This Week” increased 6% in households while “Face” dropped 20% and “Meet” fell 8%.

Note: “This Week” aired the first Iowa Republican Presidential debate of the 2008 cycle aired on broadcast television and the first Presidential Forum of the 2008 cycle held in Iowa. It aired for 90 minutes but only the first 60 minutes are included in the show’s average. The debate, moderated by ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos with additional questioning from David Yepsen of The Des Moines Register, was held at Drake University on August 5, 2007. All Republican presidential candidates were in attendance.