According to live-plus-same-day data from Nielsen, World News Tonight with David Muir averaged 7.17 million total viewers and 1.26 million adults 25-54 during the week of July 11. The 7.17 million figure means World News Tonight is the most-watched show on U.S. TV—excluding sports—for the week. Additionally, ABC’s evening newscast has now defeated its competition from NBC and CBS 189 of the past 190 weeks in average total viewers—and 118 of the last 120 weeks among adults 25-54.
More positives: World News Tonight not only remains No. 1, but it also gained +2% in total viewers and +12% from the adults 25-54 demo vs. the holiday-shortened week of July 4. On the downside, World News Tonight’s year-over-year losses continue. The newscast was down by -7% in total viewers and -11% among adults 25-54 from the comparable week in 2021 (July 12).
NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt averaging 6.15 million total viewers on the linear network, which is -2% from the week prior. The 6.15 million figure places the broadcast at No. 2 on U.S. TV, excluding specials, sports and syndication. Unlike ABC, NBC managed to gain total viewers from the comparable week in 2021 (+1%). Additionally, NBC Nightly News averaged 962,000 adults 25-54 this past week, which is up less than +1% from what Nightly averaged in the demo the previous week—but -15% from the comparable week in 2021.
The CBS Evening News with Norah O’Donnell averaged 4.41 million total viewers and 762,000 adults 25-54 for the week of July 11. That’s -2% when it comes to total viewers—but +4% in adults 25-54 from the previous week. Evening News lost -7% in total viewers and -5% among adults 25-54 vs. the comparable week in 2021.
Nielsen live-plus-same-day averages for the week of July 11, 2022:
| ABC | NBC | CBS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| • Total Viewers: | 7,166,000 | 6,148,000 | 4,411,000 |
| • A25-54: | 1,262,000 | 962,000 | 762,000 |
Source: The Nielsen Company, NTI Total Viewers, Adults 25-54 Live + SD Current Week (w/o 7/11/22), Previous Week (w/o 7/4/22) and Year-Ago Week (w/o 7/12/21). Most Current: 2021-2022 Season (9/20/21 – 7/17/22) and 2020-2021 Season (9/21/20 – 7/18/21). Nielsen ratings for ABC, NBC and CBS include additional airings in select markets. Beginning 8/31/20, national ratings also include Out of Home (OOH) viewing. Averages based on regular telecasts.