According to Nielsen data, ABC World News Tonight with David Muir continues to lead in the ratings.
World News Tonight was the top evening newscast last week, per most current data from Nielsen, both in total viewers (averaging 9.12 million) and among adults 25-54 ( 1.82 million). According to the most current data from Nielsen, ABC’s evening newscast out-delivered rival NBC Nightly News by +736,000 total viewers and +31,000 adults 25-54, finishing No. 1 in both measurements for 6 of the past 7 weeks.
With Muir anchoring from Washington on Tuesday and Wednesday to cover the impeachment hearings, World News Tonight turned in its best performances in 8 months. The 9.12 million total viewer average is the largest since the week of March 4, and the 1.82 million adults 25-54 viewer average is the largest since the week of March 11.
NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt averaged more than 8.3 million total viewers and 1.79 million adults 25-54 for the week of Nov. 11. Nightly is No. 1 in the A25-54 demo for the broadcast year to-date.
Last week, NBC Nightly News’ What Matters series featured interviews with Sen. Elizabeth Warren, former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Kamala Harris. Tonight, the series will feature Sen. Bernie Sanders.
Moving to CBS – For the third consecutive week, the CBS Evening News with Norah O’Donnell delivered its largest average audience since March, before O’Donnell joined the newscast, averaging more than 6 million total viewers for the week.
Compared to the same week last year, ABC was -1% in total viewers, but -8% in the key A25-54 demo. NBC was -7% in total viewers and -12% among adults 25-54. CBS was flat in total viewers, but somehow -18% among adults 25-54 from last year.
Average audience for the week of Nov. 11 2019:
| ABC | NBC | CBS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| • Total Viewers: | 9,120,000 | 8,384,000 | 6,014,000 |
| • A25-54: | 1,817,000 | 1,786,000 | 1,171,000 |
Source: The Nielsen Company, NTI Total Viewers, Adults 25-54 Live + SD Current Week (w/o 11/11/19), and Year-Ago Week (w/o 11/12/18). Most Current: 2019–2020 Season (9/23 – 11/17/19) and 2018–2019 Season (9/24 – 11/18/18). ABC and NBC ratings include broadcasts that air later on some stations. Averages based on regular telecasts.
Here is additional Nielsen data we received for the week of Nov. 11:
| Program | P25-54 Imps (000) |
P2+ Imps (000) |
| NBC NIGHTLY NEWS | 1,785 | 8,383 |
| CBS EVENING NEWS | 1,170 | 6,013 |
| ABC WORLD NEWS TONIGHT | 1,817 | 9,119 |
Note: Nightly News, World News Tonight and CBS Evening News’ ratings are comprised of telecasts with regular titling and include overnight airings on owned stations. World News Tonight’s ratings also include 3:30 p.m. airings in Los Angeles and San Francisco.