The broadcast networks devoted a significant chunk of time last night to news programs. CBS produced an hour on the Royal Wedding at 8pm, while NBC and ABC went head-to-head with two hour specials from 9-11pm. The first hour of “Dateline” was anchored by Brian Williams and was devoted almost entirely to the storms in the south, while ABC’s 2-hour “20/20” was devoted almost entirely to the Royal Wedding.
“20/20” drew 6.7 million total viewers and a 1.6 rating/5 share in A18-49. The Barbara Walters-hosted special drew 1.8 million more viewers than “Dateline” and by +33% in the A18-49 demo.
“20/20’s” second hour, which included a report from Jim Avila in storm-ravaged Alabama, saw its audience grow in Total Viewers and was #1 at 10pm in the A18-49 demo.