ABC World News Tonight with David Muir, NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas, and CBS Evening News with Tony Dokoupil suffered week-to-week declines in total viewers and the Adults 25-54 demo the week of October 26.
These declines come the week before the pivotal midterm elections, with Nightly News posting the smallest fall in total viewers and CBS Evening News losing viewers by double digits in the prized demo, dropping below the 600,000 viewer mark.
Note: The weekly averages of ABC News, NBC News, and CBS News are based on four days (Monday – Thursday). Friday’s (10/30/26) ABC News, NBC News, and CBS News broadcasts were retitled to WNT-ABC, NBC Nitely News, and CBS Evening Nws, respectively. These broadcasts were excluded from the weekly and season averages.
According to Nielsen national live+same-day big data and program ratings, ABC World News Tonight averaged 8.454 million total viewers and 1.157 million Adults 25-54 demo viewers for the week of Oct. 26. The evening newscast was down -4% in total viewers and -3% in the A25-54 demo compared to the previous week. During the same week in 2025 (the week beginning Oct. 27), WNT was up +9% in total viewers and +22% in the demo.
NBC Nightly News ranked second in total viewers and the demo, averaging 6.652 million and 1.049 million viewers, respectively. Compared to the previous week, Nightly News fell by -1% in total viewers and -5% in the demo. When comparing its performance to the same week a year ago, Nightly News was up +8% in total viewers and +24% in the demo.
Finally, CBS Evening News finished the week of Oct. 26 with 4.187 million total viewers and 590,000 demo viewers. CBS News’ newscast dropped by -9% in total viewers and -14% compared to the previous week. Its year-ago week numbers showed CBS Evening News up +3% in total viewers and +20% in the demo.
October 26, 2026 (Nielsen Big Data + Panel):
| ABC | NBC | CBS | |
| • Total Viewers: | 8,454,000 | 6,652,000 | 4,187,000 |
| • A25-54: | 1,157,000 | 1,049,000 | 590,000 |
Source: Nielsen Big Data + Panel, L+SD, Week of 10/26/2026. Season to date: Most Current Data Stream: 2026-2027 Season (9/21 – 11/1/26) and 2025-2026 Season (9/22 – 11/2/26). Average audience based on regularly titled telecasts only.
![Image of CNN Election Center on Tuesday night. [Left to right: CNN Anchors Jake Tapper, Dana Bash and Kaitlan Collins]](https://static-www.adweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/2000557_0065-e1793995551946.jpg?w=652)
