ABC vs Scripps

Evening News Ratings: All Broadcasts Grow in Week of Oct. 19

For the week of October 19, 2026, all three major U.S. evening newscasts showed week-over-week growth in total viewers and the Adults 25-54 demographic. ABC World News Tonight with David Muir maintained its top position, averaging 8.837 million total viewers and 1.198 million in the demo, its best total viewer performance since early March. CBS Evening News with Tony Dokoupil posted double-digit growth in total viewers, up 10% week-over-week and 13% year-over-year, while growing 5% in the demo. NBC Nightly News saw modest gains, up 1% in total viewers and 9% in the demo, with year-over-year increases of 15% and 38%, respectively. Data is based on Nielsen live+same-day big data and panel ratings.

• ABC World News Tonight averaged 8.837 million total viewers and 1.198 million A25-54 for the week of Oct. 19, up 6% in both measures week-over-week.
• CBS Evening News total viewers grew 10% week-over-week and 13% year-over-year, the only telecast with double-digit weekly growth.
• NBC Nightly News was second with 6.72 million total viewers and 1.107 million A25-54, up 1% and 9% week-over-week respectively.

ABC Dismisses Jimmy Kimmel Live! Cancellation Rumors for 2027

ABC officials have denied recent speculation that Jimmy Kimmel Live! will end in 2027 when host Jimmy Kimmel's one-year contract expires. The network called the reports premature and unfounded, emphasizing no final decision has been made. The show, which premiered in 2003, remains the most-watched late-night program, averaging over 2.5 million viewers per night and leading in the 18-49 demographic. However, the late-night genre faces economic pressures, with CBS recently ending The Late Show after 33 seasons due to financial considerations. Additionally, political tensions have escalated, with President Trump urging ABC to remove Kimmel and the FCC threatening to revoke ABC's broadcast licenses. Disney has sued the FCC over the matter. The future of the show will depend on ratings, costs, and the outcome of legal and regulatory disputes.

• ABC officials have dismissed reports that Jimmy Kimmel Live! will end in May 2027 as speculative.
• Jimmy Kimmel Live! premiered in 2003 and recently aired its 4,000th episode.
• The show averages over 2.5 million viewers per night and leads in the 18-49 demographic.

FCC: Discrimination Probe, Not Speech, Triggered ABC License Action

The FCC has asked a federal court to dismiss a First Amendment lawsuit filed by ABC and Disney, arguing that an accelerated license renewal review was prompted by a discrimination investigation, not retaliation for programming. The probe began in early 2025 after reports of alleged discriminatory practices, and the FCC claims Disney's responses were deficient. ABC contends the action was retaliatory, coming amid political scrutiny, but the FCC insists the timing is coincidental and seeks to shift review to appeals courts. No licenses have been revoked, and stations continue operating. A hearing is set for October 2026.

• FCC filed motion to dismiss ABC/Disney lawsuit.
• FCC investigation into Disney discrimination began early 2025.
• FCC ordered early license renewals for 8 ABC stations on April 28, 2026.

8-K Financial Filing Analysis for Scripps (2026-11-06)

The E.W. Scripps Company filed a Form 8-K under Item 2.02 disclosing its financial results of operations for the third quarter ended September 30, 2026. The full operational details and financial statements were furnished via press release in Exhibit 99.1, which was released on November 5, 2026. The filing serves as the formal SEC notification of Scripps' quarterly earnings release.

• Scripps reported operating results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2026, under Item 2.02.
• Earnings information was furnished via Exhibit 99.1 press release dated November 5, 2026.
• The report was signed on November 6, 2026, by Daniel W. Perschke, Senior Vice President, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer.

Scripps taps Sean McGarvy to lead news strategy

The E.W. Scripps Company promoted Sean McGarvy to head of news, effective Oct. 5, 2026. McGarvy will lead news and content strategy and oversee news standards across the Scripps News Group, reporting to Dean Littleton, who became president of media in July. He previously served as senior director of digital news operations and will focus on unifying local newsrooms, digital operations and Scripps News around a consumer-driven strategy.

• Scripps promoted Sean McGarvy to head of news, effective Oct. 5, 2026.
• McGarvy will report to Dean Littleton, who was promoted to president of media in July 2026.
• McGarvy previously served as senior director of digital news operations, including oversight of YouTube and Meta platforms.

Scripps announces new regional leadership structure for Local Media

Scripps announces new regional leadership structure for Local Media (Sept. 9, 2026); PWHL and Scripps Sports announce national U.S. television partnership for 2026-27 season (Sept. 9, 2026); ESPN & ION to bring WTGL, the new women's team golf league from TMRW Sports and LPGA, to fans across the U.S. (Sept. 2, 2026); Scripps taps NBCU sales veteran to lead small and medium business growth and direct response advertising (Aug. 27, 2026); Inaugural Scripps Sports Women's Basketball Showcase headed to Mortgage Matchup Center on December 16 (Aug. 14, 2026); Scripps' KRTV wins National Murrow Award for 'Excellence in Innovation' (Aug. 14, 2026); Scripps reports Q2 2026 financial results (Aug. 6, 2026); Scripps completes acquisition of WTVQ in Lexington (Aug. 1, 2026); Scripps unites television operations under Dean Littleton's leadership (July 22, 2026); Scripps to release second-quarter 2026 operating results on Aug. 6 (July 15, 2026); Scripps Sports and ION score U.S. media rights for the 2027 FIVB Women's Volleyball World Cup (July 14, 2026); Scripps reaches third major retransmission deal of 2026 with DIRECTV renewal (July 13, 2026).