Observed Signal · Feb 26, 2026 · Ratings Report · Source: Adweek · Impact: 1/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
World News Tonight Gains Viewers Amid NBC's Olympic Decline
For the week of Feb. 16, 2026, ABC's World News Tonight averaged 8.867 million total viewers and 1.138 million Adults 25–54 viewers, marking week-over-week gains of +2% (total viewers) and +3% (A25-54). NBC Nightly News averaged 7.595 million and 1.18 million in the demo, remaining No. 1 in Adults 25–54—helped by NBC’s Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics coverage—but fell -3% (total) and -5% (demo) versus the prior week. CBS Evening News averaged 4.168 million total viewers and 475,000 in the demo, flat in total viewers and up +4% in the demo week-over-week. Year-over-year comparisons showed mixed results: ABC was +7% (total) and -1% (demo); NBC was +13% (total) and +16% (demo); CBS was -10% (total) and -26% (demo). Nielsen national Live+Same-Day Big Data+Panel ratings were the source. ABC and CBS weekly averages exclude their Feb. 20 broadcasts because the shows were retitled and omitted from weekly/season averages.
Routine weekly television audience measurement; relevant to TV advertisers and media buyers but not industry-shifting.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- ABC World News Tonight averaged 8.867 million total viewers and 1.138 million Adults 25–54 for the week of Feb. 16, 2026.
- World News Tonight grew +2% in total viewers and +3% in Adults 25–54 week-over-week and was the only evening newscast to record week-to-week gains in both measured categories.
- NBC Nightly News averaged 7.595 million total viewers and 1.18 million Adults 25–54, was No. 1 in the demo, and declined -3% (total) and -5% (demo) week-over-week.
- CBS Evening News averaged 4.168 million total viewers and 475,000 Adults 25–54, was flat in total viewers and rose +4% in the demo week-over-week.
- Year-over-year: NBC grew +13% (total) and +16% (demo); ABC was +7% (total) and -1% (demo); CBS was -10% (total) and -26% (demo).
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World News Tonight Tops Week of June 15 Ratings
For the week of June 15, 2026, ABC's World News Tonight with David Muir led evening-news broadcasts in both total viewers and the Adults 25-54 demo, averaging 7.887 million total viewers and 930,000 A25-54 viewers. NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas was second (6.37 million / 927,000), and CBS Evening News with Tony Dokoupil finished third (3.923 million / 564,000). ABC reclaimed the demo lead, edging NBC by roughly 3,000 A25-54 viewers. Week-over-week and year-over-year percentage changes varied: ABC was up +3% in total viewers vs. the prior week (down -3% in the demo), NBC fell -5% total and -12% demo week-over-week but showed year-over-year gains, and CBS was +1% in total viewers and flat in the demo. Data source: Nielsen National Live+Same Day Big Data Plus Panel ratings.
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).
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.
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