"Nightline" placed second for the just completed 3rd quarter, beating CBS' "Late Show with David Letterman," according to Nielsen Media Research. This marks the first time in 9 years "Nightline" outperformed CBS among the key Adult 25-54 demographic and the first time in 5 years among Total Viewers. This also marks "Nightline's" largest Total Viewing advantage for a third quarter in 7 years (since 2001). In addition, "Nightline" cut the demo gap with NBC's "Tonight Show" to the smallest margin in 12 years, and the Total Viewing gap to its smallest in 6 years. Compared to 3rd quarter 2007, "Nightline" grew 2% among Total Viewers, while both "Letterman" (-18%) and "Leno" (-5%) declined. Among Adults 25-54, "Nightline" increased 1%, while both "Letterman" (-24%) and "Leno" (-12%) declined.
For the week of September 15, "Nightline" again outperformed "Letterman" among Total Viewers and Adults 25-54 for the fourth straight week. Compared to last year, "Nightline" grew 4% among Total Viewers, while both "Letterman" (-24%) and "Leno" (-7%) declined. Among Adults 25-54, "Nightline" increased 1%, while both "Letterman" (-24%) and "Leno" (-12%) again declined.
This was "Nightline's" 20th victory (plus one tie) over "Letterman" among the key A25-54 demographic for the season and the 15th victory (plus two ties) over CBS among Total Viewers. Nightline" also beat "Letterman" among Women 18-49 for the season.
"Nightline" also significantly closed the total viewing and demo gaps with CBS' "Letterman" and NBC's "Leno" for the 2007/2008 season. "Nightline" cut the A25-54 gap with "Letterman" by 86%, and with "Leno" by 47%. Among Total Viewers, "Nightline" closed the gap with "Letterman" by 69%, and with "Leno" by 33%.
ABC News' "Nightline" is anchored by Cynthia McFadden, Terry Moran and Martin Bashir. John Donvan and Vicki Mabrey are correspondents. James Goldston is the executive producer. The program airs weeknights at 11:35 p.m., ET on the ABC Television Network.
(Average for 3rd Quarter)
TOTAL VIEWERS A25-54 (000)/ Rtg
ABC "Nightline" 3,060,000 1,410,000/1.1
CBS "Late Show" 2,940,000 1,300,000/1.1
NBC "Tonight" 4,630,000 1,970,000/1.6
(Week of September 15)
TOTAL VIEWERS A25-54 (000)/ Rtg
ABC "Nightline" 3,200,000 1,480,000/1.2
CBS "Late Show" 2,730,000 1,310,000/1.1
NBC "Tonight" 4,580,000 1,970,000/1.6
(Average for 07/08 Season)
TOTAL VIEWERS A25-54 (000)/ Rtg
ABC "Nightline" 3,300,000 1,570,000/1.3
CBS "Late Show" 3,490,000 1,620,000/1.3
NBC "Tonight" 4,750,000 2,100,000/1.7
Source: NTI |