Observed Signal · Mar 12, 2026 · Ratings Report · Source: Adweek · Impact: 1/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
ABC Leads Evening News Ratings Amid Middle East Unrest
During the week of March 2, 2026, ABC's World News Tonight with David Muir remained the most-watched evening newscast, followed by NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas and CBS Evening News. Nielsen national live+same-day Big Data+Panel ratings show ABC averaged 8.901 million total viewers and 1.104 million Adults 25-54 (A25-54), up +3% and +7% week-to-week respectively. NBC averaged 6.898 million total and 1.054 million A25-54, posting week-to-week gains of +2% and +7%. CBS averaged 4.117 million total viewers and 507,000 A25-54, down -1% in total viewers but up +1% in the demo versus the prior week. The news cycle, driven by unrest in the Middle East, boosted viewership overall; year-over-year comparisons versus the same week in 2025 show ABC and NBC with gains while CBS declined in both total viewers and the demo.
Routine weekly audience measurement for broadcast newscasts; useful for broadcast ad-buying and planning but not industry-shifting.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- ABC World News Tonight averaged 8.901 million total viewers and 1.104 million Adults 25-54 for the week of March 2, 2026.
- ABC grew +3% in total viewers and +7% in A25-54 versus the previous week; year-over-year it was up +13% in total viewers and +4% in the demo.
- NBC Nightly News averaged 6.898 million total viewers and 1.054 million A25-54, with week-to-week gains of +2% (total) and +7% (demo); year-over-year gains were +8% (total) and +11% (demo).
- CBS Evening News averaged 4.117 million total viewers and 507,000 A25-54; it was down -1% in total viewers week-to-week but up +1% in the demo, and down -6% (total) and -19% (demo) year-over-year.
- Ratings are based on national Live+Same-Day Big Data+Panel program measurements from Nielsen.
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Evening News Ratings Rise Week of March 16, 2026
For the week of March 16, 2026, U.S. broadcast evening newscasts recorded no week-to-week viewership losses: ABC's World News Tonight led with 8.821 million total viewers and 1.102 million Adults 25-54, both up versus the prior week and up year-over-year. NBC Nightly News averaged 6.518 million total viewers and 978,000 in A25-54, essentially flat in total viewers and modestly higher in the demo week-over-week. CBS Evening News averaged 4.166 million total viewers and 533,000 in A25-54 (weekly averages based on three days due to retitled broadcasts later in the week) and posted week-over-week gains. Ratings and comparisons are drawn from Nielsen national Live+Same Day Big Data Plus Panel program measurements.
ABC Dominates Evening News Ratings Despite Decline
For the week of February 2, 2026, ABC's World News Tonight with David Muir remained the most-watched evening newscast in total viewers and Adults 25-54 but was the only major broadcast to lose viewers week-over-week. Nielsen national Live+Same-Day Big Data Plus Panel ratings show ABC averaged 8.987 million total viewers and 1.15 million A25-54. NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas averaged 7.233 million and 1.10 million demo viewers, posting week-over-week gains (including a demo boost after Llamas’ exclusive interview with President Donald Trump). CBS Evening News with Tony Dokoupil averaged 4.576 million total viewers and 579,000 in the demo. The report includes week-over-week and year-over-year percentage changes and notes that Friday broadcasts retitled on Feb. 6 were excluded from weekly and season averages.
NBC and CBS Gain in April 13 Evening News Ratings
Adweek's TVNewser reports national Nielsen live+same-day Big Data+Panel ratings for the week of April 13, 2026. ABC's World News Tonight with David Muir remained the most-watched evening newscast in total viewers and the Adults 25-54 demo but declined week-over-week. NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas and CBS Evening News with Tony Dokoupil posted gains in the A25-54 demographic. Nielsen averages for the week show ABC at 8.175 million total viewers and 1.01 million A25-54; NBC at 6.441 million and 943,000 A25-54; CBS at 3.804 million and 482,000 A25-54. Week-over-week changes: ABC -3% total/-5% demo; NBC flat total/+4% demo; CBS flat total/+1% demo. The report notes NBC’s weekly averages exclude a retitled Friday broadcast and provides year-over-year comparisons versus the same week in 2025.
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