‘CBS Evening News’ Ratings Compared With ABC & NBC After 3 Months of Tony Dokoupil
What To Know
- ABC’s World News Tonight remained the top-rated evening news program in Q1 2026.
- NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas secured second place, showing year-over-year growth.
- CBS Evening News, now anchored by Tony Dokoupil, saw a slight quarter-over-quarter increase but remained third.
The ratings for the first quarter of 2026 are in, and all eyes are on Tony Dokoupil, who took over CBS Evening News on January 5 in hopes of turning the show’s numbers around. So, did he do it?
According to The Hollywood Reporter, citing Nielsen figures, the fate of CBS Evening News depends on the point of comparison. The program averaged 4.24 million total viewers and 532,000 viewers in the coveted Adults 25-54 demographic through March 20. This includes the final week numbers for former anchors John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois.
CBS Evening News was up from the fourth quarter of 2025, which averaged 4.03 million total viewers and 502,000 demo viewers. However, it was down from the first quarter of 2025, which averaged 4.59 million total viewers and 657,000 demo viewers.
Dokoupil was promoted from CBS Mornings to CBS Evening News in December by CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss. However, he and Weiss have faced criticism for trying to appease the Trump administration.
It should be noted that Nielsen’s first quarter officially ends on Sunday (March 29), so the final averages might change slightly when this week’s ratings are included.
The final averages are unlikely to change the order, as ABC’s World News Tonight continues to lead its competition. The David Muir-hosted news broadcast averaged 8.61 million total viewers and 1.07 million 25-54 viewers across the first quarter.
World News Tonight was up from the previous quarter, which averaged 7.86 million total viewers and 974,000 demo viewers. It was also up from the first quarter of 2025 in total viewers (8.13 million) but down slightly in the 25-54 demo (1.16 million).
NBC Nightly News With Tom Llamas held onto second place, averaging 6.93 million total viewers and 1.04 million demo viewers across the first quarter of 2026. This was up from the previous quarter, which averaged 6.22 million total viewers and 848,000 demo viewers. It also increased compared to the first quarter of 2025, which averaged 6.6 million total viewers and 983,000 demo viewers.
CBS Evening News, Weekdays, 6:30/5:30c, CBS
ABC World News Tonight, Weekdays, 6:30/5:30c, ABC
NBC Nightly News, Weekdays, 6:30/5:30c, NBC
Conversation34 Comments
Please read the TV Insider Community Guidelines.
Register or sign in to join the conversation.
-
K
I think if all the networks aired the news at the same time, it would be a fair fight! Otherwise, how can you compare? It's NOT Tony, it's Bari. Whoever decided to cancel Steven should be FIRED!
40
-
D
Tony Dekoupil is a breath of fresh air! Fabulous ! We love him
37
-
N
I like Tom Llamas, he had big shoes to fill after Lester Holt left but he is getting better the longer he has been on the air. David Muir is as stiff as a board. Comes off too stuffy. No personality. Tony……………..well let’s just say maybe he should try a different line of work.
37
-
M
I think David Muir is kind, warm and always has a story that is uplifting at the end of every show
42
-
W
He's reading the news, not taking you out to dinner.
4
-
-
D
Tony is the best
29
-
M
Tom Llamas is the best.
18
-
S
My personal preference is ABC. I definitely like David Muir. He personable and he knows the business inside and out. He accomplishes his job in a friendly yet professional manner. It's not just a job for him. He loves want he does. It is a part of who he is. It is in his blood
11
-
K
He reads a teleprompter and he is told what to say LOL. You are a sheep
-
-
A
Nothing against Tony D. I don’t watch because I am not a fan of Bari Weiss.
10
-
S
I agree, she is doing a crappy job .
1
-
-
S
We watch David Muir every night we here more news from him than CBS or NBC,
9
-
N
How are the numbers when compared to when O'Donnell anchored the CBS evening news?
And how does the programming before and after the newscasts affect the numbers?
6
-
C
I think they were plummeting even with Norah there. That's why she was reassigned.
-
-
D
I think. David Muir is the best. I trust him. I usually watch CBS but since Tony Doppler has been on I have not watched it. I don't care for him
5
-
T
They all look like the same guy. Nothing like diversity.
5
-
I
Tony needs a new script writer and exec producer. The first 10 mins are anti-Trump, next 10-15 are Scott MacFarlane saying “Trump lied”, and the last 15 mins are funny animal videos. The Calif fraud story was the first investigative report after Catherine herridge was exited.
5
-
S
Your minutes, added up, have a sum over 30 minutes, which is the total length of the show. With commercials, he doesn’t come near 30 minutes.
6
-
R
Not "anti-Trump," just stating facts. Saying "Trump lied" is facts, too.
1
-
C
It's no different than their Late Night Talk Show drivel...and that's why they're being canceled. Plus, all Norah did was lie about Covid/Fauci.
1
-
-
W
The only reason abc is tops is because of jeopardy and wheel of fortune in my opinion. I wouldn’t watch it if not for that.
4
-
W
LOL. Wheel and Jeopardy are on CBS where I am.
15
-
A
Wheel and Jeopardy are NBC here.
1
-
B
Those game shows are syndicated, not tied to any network.
4
-
-
K
Tom he is very engaged and energetic but provides empathy and compassion in all his stories. He is getting better with time and he’s who I trust for World News him and Margaret Brennan on Sunday Mornings
2
-
D
Fox still destroys all three
2
-
S
Your comment is the most truthful comment I have read on here
-
-
K
All of them are tepid. Wish they could be more objective and not everything dramatic adjectives or comment after a story.
1
-
T
Bring back Nora O’Donnel she is a great trusted journalist who had much higher ratings than the boys who replaced her. Good job Bari !!! Congratulations we’ll see how long you are in the position. I’m betting not long!!!
-
T
Bring back Nora O’Donnel. She was great and had much higher ratings then the boys who replaced her!!!
-
G
I watched David M. for a long time. When Tony D. began, I switched over to watch him. I sure don't see a bias. I haven't switched back.
-
C
If David Muir isn’t covering, I don’t watch. He’s got it!
-
Y
I personally like CBS mornings that comes on at 7am EST and have for quite a few years now.
-
Y
And my wife and I have enjoyed David Muir on ABC for years now.
-
Watchlist Easy access to only the shows you care about — all in one simple place
Alerts Only important notifications — when a show is returning, when it becomes available to stream, and more.
Special Offers Exclusive products we release related to your favorite shows and streaming services