ABC, NBC and CBS’ evening newscasts gained viewers during the week of November 14, 2022.
ABC World News Tonight with David Muir had an especially strong week. It held onto its No. 1 ranking — meaning it has now defeated its evening news competition from NBC and CBS 207 of the past 208 weeks in average total viewers—and 136 of the last 138 weeks among adults 25-54.
Not only that, but according to Nielsen live-plus-same-day data for this past week, World News Tonight’s 8.91 million total linear viewers represents the newscast’s largest audience since February and the second-largest audience of any U.S. TV show, excluding sports programming. The 8.91 million average also represents a +5% gain from the Midterm Elections week. Looking at adults 25-54, WNT averaged more than 1.51 million viewers from the key demo this past week, which is +3% from the prior week. Additionally, World News Tonight is +8% in total viewers and +4% among adults 25-54 versus the same week one year ago (Nov. 15, 2021). No other evening newscast posted week-to-week and year-over-year gains both in total viewers and in A25-54.
The ratings gains were driven by the Monday, Nov. 14 telecast featuring David Muir’s exclusive interview with former vp Mike Pence. The telecast attracted 9.19 million total viewers — World News Tonight’s largest audience since March 8.
NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt—the second-ranked evening newscast—hit a 36-week high in total viewers by averaging 7.26 million viewers and a 33-week high in A25-54 viewers with 1.23 million. The 7.26 million (the show’s largest average audience since March) is +6% from the prior week, and the 1.12 million adults 25-54 on linear is +1% from the previous week. NBC’s evening newscast also gained total viewers from the year-ago week (+1%) but shed less than -1% in A25-54 viewers (just -2,000).
According to data from Adobe Analytics and Partner Portals—and the YouTube Analytics Portal, full weekday episodes of NBC Nightly News earned an average of 908,000 views and 712,000 viewers last week.
CBS Evening News with Norah O’Donnell averaged 5.315 million total viewers this past week, which is +6% from the previous week, but -1% from the year-ago week. Evening News’ performance in the A25-54 demo wasn’t quite as strong. The newscast averaged 833,000 adults 25-54 this past week, which is -3% from the previous week and -6% from the year-ago week.
Nielsen live-plus-same-day averages for the week of Nov. 14, 2022:
| ABC | NBC | CBS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| • Total Viewers: | 8,908,000 | 7,259,000 | 5,315,000 |
| • A25-54: | 1,510,000 | 1,233,000 | 833,000 |
Source: The Nielsen Company, NTI Total Viewers, Adults 25-54 Live + SD Current Week (w/o 11/14/22), Previous Week (w/o 11/7/22) and Year-Ago Week (w/o 11/15/21). Most Current Data Stream: Season 2022-2023 (9/19 – 11/20/22), Season 2021-2022 (9/20 – 11/21/21). 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.