Nightline’s “Ratings Resurgence”

By Brian 

The “steadily improving picture for ABC’s late-night lineup” is “one of the more unexpected developments in television over the last six months,” today’s New York Times says: “The story begins with the ABC News program ‘Nightline,’ all but written off when its long-time anchor, Ted Koppel, departed last year.

Instead, Nightline has experienced a ratings resurgence in recent months that has pushed it well past the figures for Mr. Koppel’s last year on the air. In August it reached more than 3.5 million viewers a night, frequently edging past Mr. Letterman’s show on CBS. (Mr. Letterman’s numbers are for an hourlong show, however, and those for Nightline are for a half-hour.)”

Jimmy Kimmel says Nightline has helped boost his ratings, too: “In its revised state, Nightline is a much better lead-in for us than it ever was before…”

Advertisement
Advertisement