It was the best of times for the big three broadcast networks. Each evening newscast saw week-to-week gains in total viewers and the advertiser-coveted demo of Adults 25-54 for the week of June 24.
Note: All three newscasts were retitled due to the CNN Presidential Debate on Thursday. They are all excluded from the weekly and season averages, with this week’s averages being based on four days for CBS News and NBC News (Monday to Wednesday and Friday) and only Tuesday for ABC News.
ABC News’ World News Tonight with David Muir led the way by averaging 7.460 million total viewers and 1.036 million A25-54 viewer for the week. That’s a respective gain of +4% in total viewers and +8% compared to the previous week. Looking at its performance alongside the same week in 2023 (the week beginning June 26), WNT was down by -4% in total viewers and -11% in the demo. That extends WNT’s winning streak to 291 of the last 292 weeks in total viewers and 218 of the last 221 weeks among demo viewrs.
However, WNT’s win comes with a caveat: Only Tuesday’s newscast was measured, as the Monday edition was retitled due to the Stanley Cup Finals, the Wednesday edition was retitled due to the NBA Draft and the Friday edition was also retitled.
NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt was the No. 2 newscast for the week in total viewers and the demo, averaging 5.879 million viewers and 805,000 A25-54 viewers, respectively. Compared to the prior week, Nightly News was up +3% in total viewers and +9% in the demo. Year-to-year, Nightly News saw declines of -4% and -13%, respectively.
CBS Evening News with Norah O’Donnell ranked third with 4.410 million total viewers and 633,000 A25-54 viewers. That translates to respective gains of +2% and +3% compared to the previous week. But compared to the previous year, the newscast was down by -2% in total viewers and -7% in the demo.
Nielsen live-plus-same-day averages for the week of June 24, 2024:
| ABC | NBC | CBS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| • Total Viewers: | 7,460,000 | 5,879,000 | 4,410,000 |
| • A25-54: | 1,036,000 | 805,000 | 633,000 |
Taking a look at the quarterly ratings, ABC’s World News Tonight stayed on top during the second quarter of 2024, averaging 7.232 million total viewers and 961,000 A25-54 viewers. This is WNT’s fifth year in a row of winning Q2 in total viewers and the demo. When compared to Q1, the newscast dropped by -11% in total viewers and -15% in the demo. Compared to Q2 of 2023, the newscast declined by -6% and -19%, respectively.
NBC Nightly News averaged 5.671 million total viewers and 724,000 A25-54 viewers during Q2. Compared to Q1, the newscast was down -17% in the former category and -27% in the latter. Nightly News was also down relative to the second quarter of 2023, losing -10% in total viewers and -26% in the demo.
Finally, CBS Evening News averaged 4.398 million total viewers and 724,000 A25-54 viewers in Q2 for respective drops of -11% and -17% compared to the prior quarter. Looking at Q2 of 2023, the newscast was down by -3% in total viewers and -14% in the demo.
Nielsen live-plus-same-day averages for the Second Quarter, 2024:
| ABC | NBC | CBS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| • Total Viewers: | 7,232,000 | 5,671,000 | 4,398,000 |
| • A25-54: | 961,000 | 724,000 | 598,000 |
Source: The Nielsen Company, NTI Total Viewers, Adults 25-54 and Adults 18-49 Live + SD Current Week (w/o 6/24/24), Previous Week (w/o 6/17/24) and Year-Ago Week (w/o 6/19/23). Most Current Data Stream: 2023-2024 Season (9/25/23 – 6/30/24) and 2022-2023 Season (9/19/22 – 6/25/23). Live+7/Most Current – 2Q24: 4/1 – 6/30/24, 2Q23: 3/27 – 6/25/23 and 1Q23: 1/1/ – 3/31/24. Nielsen ratings for ABC, NBC and CBS include additional airings in select markets. Beginning 8/31/20, national ratings also include Out of Home (OOH) viewing. Averages based on regular telecasts.