Observed Signal · Jul 2, 2026 · Ratings Report · Source: Adweek · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
Q2 2026 Evening News Ratings Released
Adweek’s TVNewser published Nielsen national live+same-day Big Data + Panel ratings for the week of June 22 and the second quarter of 2026 for the three major U.S. evening newscasts. For the week of June 22, ABC's World News Tonight led in total viewers (7.528 million) and adults 25-54 (955,000), followed by NBC Nightly News (6.341 million; 890,000) and CBS Evening News (4.015 million; 576,000). Quarterly averages (Q2 2026) show ABC with 8.2 million total viewers and 1.01 million A25-54, NBC with 6.347 million and 923,000 A25-54, and CBS with 3.9 million and 535,000 A25-54. All three broadcasts declined quarter-to-quarter in total viewers and the A25-54 demo; ABC extended its multi-year lead in total viewers. Nielsen Media Research is cited as the data source.
Routine Nielsen ratings release for major broadcast evening newscasts; relevant to media buyers and planners but not industry-shifting.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Week of June 22 (Nielsen live+same-day Big Data + Panel): ABC World News Tonight averaged 7,528,000 total viewers and 955,000 Adults 25-54.
- Week of June 22: NBC Nightly News averaged 6,341,000 total viewers and 890,000 Adults 25-54; CBS Evening News averaged 4,015,000 total viewers and 576,000 Adults 25-54.
- Second quarter 2026 (Q2 2026) averages: ABC World News Tonight — 8.2 million total viewers and 1.01 million A25-54; NBC Nightly News — 6.347 million total viewers and 923,000 A25-54; CBS Evening News — 3.9 million total viewers and 535,000 A25-54.
- All three evening broadcasts experienced quarter-to-quarter declines in total viewers and Adults 25-54 during Q2 2026; ABC extended its streak of quarterly wins in total viewers to seven years.
- Ratings and changes (week-to-week and year-over-year) and percent gains/losses are reported using Nielsen Big Data + Panel measurements as the source.
Connected Companies & Entities
3 Entities mapped“According to national live+same-day big data plus program ratings from Nielsen, ABC World News Tonight averaged 7.528 million total viewers ...”
“CBS Evening News with Tony Dokoupil finished the last week of June with gains in both total viewers and the Adults 25-54 demo....”
“NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas was referenced as second in total viewers and the demo for the week of June 22....”
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Week of April 20 Evening News Ratings Summary
Nielsen's national Live+Same-Day Big Data+Panel ratings for the week of April 20, 2026 show ABC's World News Tonight leading with gains week-over-week while NBC Nightly News and CBS Evening News declined. ABC averaged 8.537 million viewers and led growth (+4% total viewers, +5% Adults 25-54). NBC averaged 6.168 million viewers and fell -4% in total and -12% in the A25-54 demo week-over-week. CBS averaged 3.771 million viewers and 467,000 in A25-54, marking three consecutive weeks below 4 million total viewers and below 500,000 in the A25-54 demo. Data and comparisons are from Nielsen; year-over-year and season-to-date notes use differing network daypart averaging windows as disclosed by the publisher.
ABC and NBC News Ratings Surge, CBS Declines
ABC's World News Tonight and NBC's Nightly News increased both total viewers and Adults 25-54 demo during the week of January 26, 2026, while CBS Evening News declined. Nielsen national Live+Same-Day Big Data+Panel ratings show ABC averaged 9.244 million total viewers and 1.182 million A25-54 viewers, marking week-over-week and year-over-year gains. NBC averaged 7.150 million total viewers and 1.040 million A25-54 viewers, posting modest weekly and annual changes. CBS averaged 4.538 million total viewers and 623,000 A25-54 viewers and recorded declines versus the prior week and year-ago period. The report cites Nielsen NTI Total Viewers and Adults 25-54/18-49 national Live+Same-Day Big Data Plus Panel program ratings for the current week (w/o 1/26/26).
Week of June 1 Evening News Ratings: NBC, CBS Rise
Using Nielsen Big Data + Panel (live+same‑day) measurements (year‑over‑year comparisons use 2026 vs. 2025 panel data), ABC's World News Tonight led evening broadcasts across the five‑week period June 1–July 27, 2026, with weekly averages from 7.660M/974K to 8.476M/1.073M (total/A25‑54). Week of Aug. 3: ABC remained most‑watched (8.339M/1.039M) while NBC Nightly News (Tom Llamas) led Adults 25‑54 (1.065M) and was the only broadcast to post week‑to‑week growth in both metrics; CBS averaged 3.913M/514K (down). Week of Aug. 10: ABC (David Muir) regained first in total and A25‑54 at 8.436M/1.162M (+1% total / +12% A25‑54 week‑to‑week). Week of Aug. 17: ABC led again (8.462M/1.059M); NBC averaged 6.634M/1.025M with no week‑to‑week losses; CBS averaged 3.955M/458K and was the only broadcast to gain total viewers. Some retitled broadcasts were excluded from weekly/season averages.
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