NBC, ABC & CBS Evening News Ratings: David Muir’s Lead Shrinks in Key Demo
What To Know
- ABC World News Tonight remains the top-rated evening newscast, but its lead over NBC Nightly News in the key demographic has narrowed.
- NBC Nightly News saw significant growth, closing the gap with ABC.
- CBS Evening News continues to lag behind.
CBS Evening News is still lagging far behind its competition, but the race between ABC World News Tonight and NBC Nightly News is getting tighter. In the all-important Adults 25–54 demographic for the week of July 13, David Muir’s ABC newscast only has a 7-percent edge over Tom Llamas’ NBC program.
ABC World News Tonight averaged 8.476 million total viewers and 1.073 million 25-to-54-year-old demo viewers for that week, according to Nielsen ratings shared by TVNewser. That’s up 2 percent in total viewers and up 1 percent in demo viewers over last week and up 17 percent in total viewers and up 3 percent in demo viewers over the same week last year.
NBC/YouTube
NBC Nightly News averaged 6.684 million total viewers and 1.002 million demo viewers, just 71,000 demo viewers shy of its ABC competitor. The Llamas-anchored program is up 5 percent in total viewers and 7 percent in demo viewers compared to last week, and it’s up 20 percent in both total viewers and the demo compared to the same week in 2025.
Meanwhile, Tony Dokoupil’s troubles continue. CBS Evening News, which he anchors, averaged 3.754 million total viewers and 472,000 demo viewers. The program is the only broadcast TV evening newscast to have lost viewers since last week, dropping 1 percent in total viewers and 5 percent in the demo. It also happens to have dropped 1 percent in total viewers and 5 percent in the demo over the same week last year.
In a press release this week, ABC hailed the success of World News Tonight, saying the newscast has now ranked as the No. 1 program in total viewers on all of broadcast and cable — excluding sports — for the 13th straight week. The network also said Muir’s program ranks as the No. 1 newscast in all of broadcast and cable in total viewers, Adults 25–54, and Adults 18–49 for the week of July 13. World News Tonight also gained viewers in all three of those groups for the third straight week and posted double-digit gains year-over-year in those groups, too.
Conversation42 Comments
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J
It's ABC n NBC. Not CBS. Won't forgive the retaliation of this network this year. I mention to who wants to hear. Glad they are in last place of the 3 networks
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N
They have a robot on CBS this morning‘s now. She looks like she popped right out of Fox News and she’s vicious. She undercuts her fellow anchors at any chance she gets.
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P
CBS "kissed the Ring" and now we have Trump editing 60 minutes. I grew up on 60 minutes and I'll never watch it again. I found this article uplifting.
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T
It's nice knowing that I'm over 54 and the networks don't care at all; though age bias is at its highest these days.
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N
Who could trust CBS anymore? It's sad that this station has become state TV. David Muir is a fine journalist but there's only so much tolerance of all the trump news. Most of it is nonsense that changes every day.
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D
I wish just one day there would be no Trump news ANYWHERE. It would be so nice not to see his picture or comments. It is not like the Earth would stand still.
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N
David Muir is a class act.
I can't speak for the other two as I've watched David Muir for the past few years and he's terrific with his presentation, humor, empathy and closing stories. I record it nightly as he's much more authentic & genuine than Faux News.
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T
I don’t think it’s Tony’s fault. I like him a lot but don’t respect CBS at all so won’t watch it.
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J
The only reason to watch CBS is Friday. Steve Hartman on the road, always a feel good story before the weekend
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M
I wait until its time for him and then turn it on. And change the channel the minute its over.
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M
I hate how when he comes on he acts like he is giving us news that will shock us or scare us! They cram soooo many news reports in 30 minutes and you are left with more questions than answers! And it’s NEVER good news always depressing. I turn it off and watch a comedy instead.
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D
ABC reins supreme compared to the others. David is a Class Act. Tom llamas, who used to be on ABC, I still give respect to. CBS is a joke of a TV station now that it's run by the government even though they will say it is not. David having met with dignitaries, the Pope, devastation around the world as well as beautiful America Strong stories that give you hope in humanity.... it's done with dignity and reverence. He has been number one for quite a few years in a row. Way to go David.
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R
Tom Llamas is very good. He will surpass
David Muir.
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M
Can't stand ABC news. Too much repetitive verbiage. And what's up with David Muir's right elbow sticking out?
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B
People! You don't have to watch any of these ridiculous mainstream media programs. Change the channel. Use other sources. There are hundreds or more not owned by corporations or bazillionaires with agendas.
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K
...I'm kind-of mildly blown away that anyone's actually keeping track of this. Like? Yes, they're on TV. American TV. So, technically, you could call them entertainers instead of newscasters & you wouldn't be 'wrong'. lol! But I've been watching the news off-and-on for decades and it really never occured to me at any point in time for any reason of any kind that it mattered what their names were. Like, bc there was never any point in which I tuned-in to see THEM. They're kind-of more like the random nameless person who delivers the thing I want. Like a pizza delivery driver! I want the pizza. And they deliver me the pizza. But I'm not like, "What's your name, buddy?" about it. IDK but that's just me.
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A
I. Just. Died. 😆 best response I've seen in a long time !!
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C
One word “Gravitas” all major networks used that same word on the same day in the same story on their news broadcast! Nothing is real news - it’s fed to you to mold and shape public opinion! Don’t be fooled! Don’t be a fool! Critical thinking is very important during times like this!
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W
Your ratings range is minimal. You all report the same news with the same sound bites. It’s utterly ridiculous that these statistics even matter. Why not focus on deeper in depth stories, truth and content rather than showmanship, suits and ties. Good grief!
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K
David Muir is to pompous for my taste. Comes across as very phoney.
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T
ABC is sad. Too much fluff. "You won't believe what you're going to see".
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A
David Muir is always so intense & one cannot separate the usual ordinary news from the actual Real …”breaking news” every single night…
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M
TonyD is doing a fine job, considering the jerk network CBS has become: other than Sundays, even their morning shows stink compared to 10-15 years ago
(And their NFL pregame shows have been unwatchable ever since 2003 or so - JB did NOT help at all!)
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A
I watch the World News, but I think it’s repetitive and David talks wait to fast and there is no pause between one news to the next one
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T
Muir? Oh David Muir…the drama queen of the national evening news. Yeah, ain’t he just the greatest…Bwahahaha.
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J
Fox viewer numbers are ???
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M
What happened to the Fox News people looks like this pole is for second third fourth places because Fox News is still the most popular and accurate news there is
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B
Well after seeing ABC News coverage on the Blue Angels air show and the way they made up their own narrative on the story. I will never watch ABC News again.
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R
I would like to see a live poll. I don’t believe this bs!
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F
Most people don't watch any of those networks because they are biased toward the communist left and lie. Newsmax is the fastest growing network and we know it's honest because the others try to stop it's broadcast. Lol, long live liberty and free speech. A real journalist would want freedom of the press. Fake news anc, nbc cbs
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M
Newsmax payed millions of $$$$ to settle lawsuits against it for lying about the results of the 2020 election. You don’t do that if you’re honest.
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B
David Muir is by far a cut above the rest. I love that no matter what, he ends with a jolt of joy! I especially love the "Made in America," series during the holidays. He's always professional & courteous, however I can still tell the administration has changed the way EVERYONE tells the news. There afraid to talk about the serious damage being done in the White House and that's sad.
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D
After the way he slammed the Blue Angels, he should be greatful to still be on air.
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D
I still like Tony Dokoupil The best. He does a stellar job of reporting the news.
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D
Cbs news is on at 7 p
M. In pittsburgh Abc and nbc on at 6;30 Tony D is excellent!
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M
FOX RULES,
ANCIENT NETWORKS
(ABC, CBS, NBC, & PBS)
DROOL !!!
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M
You’re right. Fox is at the top of the heap, paying out three quarters of a BILLION dollars to settle defamation (lying) lawsuits against it for bogus reporting in the 2020 election. All to prevent Fox’s “anchors” from putting their hands on a Bible and swearing to tell the truth, the whole truth.
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D
Newsmax and OAN are still the best news networks. I don't want to hear the opinions of newscasters I want to hear the facts. That's the problem with the news nowadays. Biased and opinionated. Newsmax and OAN are gaining viewers everyday.
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A
Trumps worst than any dictator in history. are we sick of his killing. Bombing, starving killing, stealing , yet? .. should I go on…………….. he makes game of thrones look civilized.. .
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D
You are so-o-o wrong.
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C
you have TDS I see !
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B
lol, don’t you know TDS IS fake news
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