Observed Signal · May 15, 2026 · Ratings Report · Source: Adweek · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
Today Extends Lead in Week of May 4
Nielsen’s national live+same-day Big Data + Panel ratings for the week of May 4, 2026 show NBC News’ Today remained the top U.S. morning broadcast in total viewers and Adults 25-54. Today averaged 3.059 million total viewers and 523,000 in A25-54, widening its total-viewer lead over ABC’s Good Morning America (2.892 million total; 467,000 A25-54) to more than 150,000 viewers while the demo gap narrowed to about 56,000. CBS Mornings posted 1.834 million total viewers and 303,000 in A25-54 and was the only show with week-to-week gains in both metrics. Week-over-week and year-over-year percentage changes are reported for each program; Nielsen Big Data+Panel is cited as the source. The article was published by Adweek’s TVNewser contributor Mark Mwachiro on 2026-05-15.
Weekly Nielsen audience and demo figures inform TV advertisers, media buyers and pricing decisions but represent routine, expected measurement rather than industry-shifting change.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- NBC News' Today averaged 3,059,000 total viewers and 523,000 viewers in Adults 25-54 for the week of May 4, 2026.
- ABC News' Good Morning America averaged 2,892,000 total viewers and 467,000 viewers in Adults 25-54 for the same week.
- CBS Mornings averaged 1,834,000 total viewers and 303,000 viewers in Adults 25-54 and was the only morning show with week-to-week gains in both categories.
- Today extended its total-viewer lead over GMA to over 150,000 viewers while the A25-54 demo gap between the two shows was approximately 56,000 viewers.
- Source: Nielsen NTI Total Viewers and Adults 25-54 national live+same-day Big Data + Panel program ratings.
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Today Show Dominates Morning Ratings, Sees Major Viewer Growth
Nielsen national live+same-day ratings for the week of March 2, 2026 show NBC News’ Today leading U.S. morning shows with 3.252 million total viewers and 660,000 Adults 25-54 viewers, extending its winning streak to seven consecutive weeks. ABC’s Good Morning America averaged 2.985 million total viewers and 496,000 in A25-54, registering a week-to-week decline of 5% but a year-over-year gain versus the same week in 2025. CBS Mornings averaged 1.775 million total viewers and 278,000 A25-54; its weekly average is based on three days due to retitled telecasts being excluded from averages. Nielsen’s Live+Same-Day Big Data Plus Panel measurement is cited as the source. The article notes retitled broadcasts (CBS Morn and Today TS) were excluded from weekly and season averages, and NBC’s weekly averages are based on four days (Tuesday–Friday).
CBS Mornings Grows; Today Still Leads Week
For the week of June 15, 2026, NBC’s Today remained the top-rated U.S. morning news program while CBS News’ CBS Mornings was the only show to post week‑over‑week gains in both total viewers and the Adults 25‑54 demo. Nielsen’s national Live+Same‑Day Big Data+Panel ratings show Today averaged 3.048 million total viewers and 686,000 A25‑54; ABC’s Good Morning America averaged 2.836 million and 457,000 A25‑54; CBS Mornings averaged 1.7 million and 274,000 A25‑54. Week‑over‑week, CBS Mornings rose +3% in total viewers and +4% in A25‑54, while GMA declined week‑to‑week in both metrics. Year‑over‑year comparisons show Today up strongly (+23% total, +24% demo) and CBS Mornings down (-9% total, -13% demo). Data source: Nielsen NTI National Live+Same Day Big Data Plus Panel (w/o 6/15/26).
April 13 Morning News Ratings: Today Leads, CBS Grows
Nielsen’s national live+same-day Big Data+Panel ratings for the week of April 13, 2026 show NBC News’ Today remained the most-watched morning show, averaging 3.002 million total viewers and 629,000 Adults 25-54. ABC’s Good Morning America (GMA) averaged 2.885 million total viewers and 483,000 in A25-54. CBS Mornings recorded 1.797 million total viewers and 299,000 in A25-54 and was the only major morning show to post week‑over‑week gains (+3% total viewers, +19% A25-54). Year-over-year comparisons versus the same week in 2025 showed Today up (+21% total, +9% demo), GMA up (+9% total, +7% demo), and CBS down (-27% total, -26% demo). The article notes Hoda Kotb filled in for Craig Melvin, reuniting with Savannah Guthrie on Today and helping keep the program above 3 million viewers.
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