According to live-plus-same-day data from Nielsen, ABC World News Tonight with David Muir averaged 7.35 million total viewers and 1.26 million adults 25-54 for the week of Sept. 5, which began on Labor Day. ABC’s evening newscast has now defeated its competition from NBC and CBS 197 of the past 198 weeks in average total viewers—and 126 of the last 128 weeks among adults 25-54.
Muir kicked off the week with an exclusive interview with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, and anchored special editions of World News Tonight from the region Monday through Wednesday, Sept. 7. Muir also anchored the program from London on Friday, following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
World News Tonight shed -1% in total viewers and -1% from the adults 25-54 demo vs. the previous week (August 29). The year-over-year trend was worse, with the broadcast down -5% in total viewers and -12% among adults 25-54 from the comparable week in 2021 (Sept. 6).
Although ABC World News Tonight remains the standard as far as evening news goes, its 21-week streak as the most-watched non-sports program on U.S. TV ended this past week.
NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt had a very solid ratings week, giving World News Tonight a run for its money in the A25-54 demo with its largest audience in 21 weeks (1.13 million viewers). That’s up +15% from what the newscast drew the prior week from the demo. NBC Nightly News also averaged 6.24 million total viewers on NBC TV this past week. A nine-week high, up +1% from the week prior and a figure that places the broadcast at No. 2 on U.S. TV, excluding specials, sports and syndication. However, Nightly News saw year-over-year declines, down -3% in total viewers and -5% among adults 25-54 from the week of Sept. 6, 2021.
The CBS Evening News with Norah O’Donnell averaged 4.45 million total viewers—and 713,000 adults 25-54. That’s +5% when it comes to total viewers—and +3% in adults 25-54 from the previous week. On the downside, Evening News is also -4% in total viewers—and -16% among adults 25-54 vs. the comparable week in 2021.
ABC World News Tonight, NBC Nightly News and CBS Evening News’ ratings for the week of Sept. 5 are based on four-day averages due to retitling on Monday, Sept. 5 (Labor Day holiday).
Nielsen live-plus-same-day averages for the week of Sept. 5, 2022:
| ABC | NBC | CBS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| • Total Viewers: | 7,348,000 | 6,243,000 | 4,451,000 |
| • A25-54: | 1,258,000 | 1,126,000 | 713,000 |
Source: The Nielsen Company, NTI Total Viewers, Adults 25-54. Live + SD Current Week (w/o 9/5/22), Previous Week (w/o 8/29/22) and Year-Ago Week (w/o 9/6/21). Most Current: 2021-2022 Season (9/20/21 – 9/11/22) and 2020-2021 Season (9/21/20 – 9/12/21). 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.