ABC vs VERSANT

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.

10-Q Financial Filing Analysis for VERSANT (2026-11-03)

Versant Media Group, Inc. reported its third-quarter 2026 financial results, reflecting its ongoing transition following its spin-off from Comcast Corporation completed on January 2, 2026. Consolidated revenue for Q3 2026 declined 4.2% year-over-year to $1.594 billion, down from $1.663 billion in Q3 2025, driven by linear distribution headwind declines of 5.8% to $935 million and a 5.3% drop in advertising revenue to $373 million due to cord-cutting and audience fragmentation. These declines were partially offset by a 9.6% expansion in digital platforms revenue to $245 million, supported by the August 2026 acquisition of sports technology firm Full Swing for $536 million and solid ticketing volume at Fandango. Operating income fell 32.6% to $110 million and net income dropped 40.8% to $47 million, weighed down by $53 million in new quarterly interest expenses tied to $2.93 billion of post-Separation debt obligations. Operating cash flow remained robust at $1.313 billion for the first nine months of 2026.

• Total Q3 2026 revenue fell 4.2% YoY to $1.594 billion, with linear distribution declining 5.8% to $935 million and advertising falling 5.3% to $373 million, while digital platforms grew 9.6% to $245 million.
• Net income for the quarter reached $47 million ($0.34 per diluted share), impacted by $53 million in quarterly interest expense following the issuance of ~$3.0 billion in post-spin debt.
• Capital allocation remained active with the acquisition of Full Swing for $536 million in cash on August 3, 2026, alongside $300 million in share repurchases and $106 million in dividends paid year-to-date.

Versant Launches Four New Free Streaming Channels

Versant, the NBCUniversal spinoff, has launched four new free, ad-supported streaming channels featuring content from CNBC, Oxygen, and E!. The new channels—Snapped, Botched, Oxygen Murders of America, and CNBC Ambition—will be available on Prime Video in the U.S. starting October 27, with a staggered release on The Roku Channel beginning November 3. This brings Versant's free channel portfolio to a total of 13 channels. The expansion is part of Versant's strategy to grow its digital platforms and reach new audiences, leveraging iconic brands like CNBC, Oxygen, and E! to offer diverse content across business, true crime, and unscripted entertainment.

• Versant launched four new free, ad-supported streaming channels.
• The new channels include Snapped, Botched, Oxygen Murders of America, and CNBC Ambition.
• The channels will be available on Prime Video starting October 27, 2026.

MS NOW to Present New Primetime Special, “MS NOW Live: Together in Texas” Airing Tomorrow, Oct. 10 at 8 P.M. ET

MS NOW announces a new primetime special, 'MS NOW Live: Together in Texas,' featuring Rachel Maddow, Lawrence O’Donnell, Jen Psaki and more. Also, MS NOW and FiftyPlusOne ink a deal for trusted data and polling, and Versant reaches a multi-year distribution renewal agreement with Verizon.