Last week, as is often the case, there was a split decision in the morning show ratings race. GMA was No. 1 in total viewers, while Today held the top spot among younger news viewers, including adults 25-54.
GMA defeated Today by +195,000 total viewers last week, the week of July 16, increasing its lead year to year in the process by +33 percent (+147,000 viewers). Season to date, GMA is the No.1 morning show in total viewers, leading its NBC rival by +69,000 (4.206 million vs. 4.137 million), taking the top spot at this point of the season for the 6th year in a row.
But compared to the same week last year, the ABC morning show was -3 percent in total viewers, and -6 percent in the key A25-54 category.
For 134 straight weeks, NBC’s Today has been No. 1 in the key A25-54 demo, which is the show’s its best streak in six years. The NBC morning show also managed to win Thursday across the board, in total viewers and among both key demos. Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer appeared on the program that morning (and later on Megyn Kelly Today) to promote his book.
But Today was -4 percent in total viewers and -8 percent in the demo vs. the same week in 2017.
CBS This Morning continues to struggle in the ratings department. The program was -13 percent in total viewers, and -13 percent among adults 25-54 last year.
Averages for the week of July 16:
| ABC | NBC | CBS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| • Total Viewers: | 3,680,000 | 3,485,000 | 2,775,000 |
| • A25-54: | 1,071,000 | 1,147,000 | 692,000 |
*Today was re titled on Monday due to live coverage of the Trump-Putin meeting in Helsinki.
Source: The Nielsen Company, NTI Total Viewers, Adults 25-54 Live + SD weeks of 7/16/18, and 7/17/17. Season-to-Date: Most Current: 2017-2018 Season (9/25/17 – 7/22/18) and 2016-2017 Season (9/19/16 – 7/23/17). Averages based on regular telecasts.