CBS vs NBCUniversal

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.

Cable TV Viewership Drops 3.6% as Streaming Grows

Nielsen's The Gauge data for August 2025 to August 2026 shows cable TV viewership dropped 3.6%, while broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC) declined 1.6%. Streaming platforms increased viewership by 3.2%, and other TV viewing rose 2%. The trend reflects ongoing cord-cutting as viewers shift to cheaper ad-supported streaming tiers and alternative services. Total engagement remains strong, but advertisers are reallocating budgets toward measurable, targeted platforms.

• Cable TV viewership declined by 3.6% from August 2025 to August 2026.
• Broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC) saw a 1.6% decrease in viewership.
• Streaming platforms increased viewership by 3.2% in the same period.

TNT Sports Could Move to Free CBS over-the-Air TV

Following the completion of the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger, forming Skydance, CBS is poised to potentially redistribute TNT Sports programming to its free over-the-air network. CBS Sports president David Berson will lead the combined sports group after TNT Sports chief Luis Silberwasser's departure. Industry speculation centers on shifting high-value events like the Stanley Cup Final and other TNT/TBS properties to CBS to increase reach, as NHL commissioner Gary Bettman advocated. However, pre-merger carriage agreements with distributors like Comcast, DirecTV, and YouTube TV may complicate moves due to exclusivity-based fees. No immediate changes are planned, but the merger positions CBS to broaden free access to premium sports for antenna-only viewers.

• The $110 billion Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger closed on October 6, 2026, creating Skydance.
• CBS Sports president David Berson will lead the combined global sports group.
• TNT holds rights to the Stanley Cup Final, which may move to CBS.

India's EloElo raises $80M from NBCUniversal for microdrama bet

EloElo, the Indian parent company of microdrama app Story TV, has raised $80 million in a Series C funding round led by Hornbill Capital and NBCUniversal. The round brings EloElo's total funding to $130 million at a $500 million valuation. The company plans to use the capital to expand its content library, grow its AI team, and scale its Dolphin AI platform, which is being made widely available to creators. Story TV has over 33 million monthly active users, while EloElo's combined apps exceed 40 million monthly users. The investment reflects the growing popularity of microdramas in India, an industry expected to reach $3-4 billion in annual revenue by 2030. Other investors include MIT Investment Co., Play Ventures, Kalaari Capital, Waterbridge Ventures, and Griffin Gaming Partners.

• EloElo raised $80 million in Series C funding led by Hornbill Capital and NBCUniversal.
• The round values EloElo at $500 million and brings total funding to $130 million.
• Story TV has over 33 million monthly active users, and EloElo's apps exceed 40 million.

US Cable TV Shutdowns: 30+ Channels Closed Since 2020

Since 2020, the American cable TV industry has experienced a steady contraction as viewers migrate to streaming platforms. At least 30 distinct U.S. cable and regional sports channels have permanently shut down or ended regular programming between 2020 and late 2026. Notable closures include NBC Sports Network (NBCSN), ESPN Classic, G4, Universal Kids, HBO Family, Cinemax multiplex channels, Pac-12 Networks, Longhorn Network, and the FanDuel Sports Network portfolio. The closures accelerated after the pandemic and cord-cutting, with sports channels especially vulnerable. Operators cited falling subscriber numbers, rising content costs, and the preference for on-demand streaming as decisive factors. Regional sports networks accounted for a large share of losses, leading to greater fragmentation of local sports viewing. More shutdowns are expected as rumors suggest additional closures.

• More than 30 U.S. cable TV channels have shut down since 2020.
• NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) ceased operations on December 31, 2021.
• HBO Family and Cinemax multiplex channels (ThrillerMax, MovieMax, OuterMax) stopped on August 15, 2025.

TODAY Celebrates NBC's 100th Anniversary with 2026 Halloween Costumes Inspired by Iconic NBC Shows

NBCUniversal's newsroom media page has been updated with new press releases, including a TODAY segment celebrating NBC's 100th anniversary with Halloween costumes, and a Peacock series debut for 'Crystal Lake'.