• Friday, October 03, 2008
    ABC Television Network
    PRESS RELEASE - PRESS RELEASE - ENTERTAINMENT -
    NIGHTLINE RATINGS (WK OF 9/22)
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    “NIGHTLINE” POSTS ITS HIGEST TOTAL VIEWERSHIP
    SINCE THE SHOW’S RELAUNCH IN 2005

    “NIGHTLINE” BEATS “LETTERMAN” IN TOTAL VIEWERS
    AND ADULTS 25-54--FIFTH WEEK IN A ROW
    “NIGHTLINE” GROWS AMONG TOTAL VIEWERS AND A25-54
    VS. LAST YEAR, WHILE “LENO” DECLINES BY DOUBLE DIGITS

    “NIGHTLINE” DISPLAYS SMALLEST A25-54 GAP WITH “LENO”
    FOR THE FIRST WEEK OF A SEASON IN OVER 10 YEARS
    ABC News’ “Nightline” posted its highest total viewership since the program’s relaunch in November 2005, according to Nielsen Media Research. “Nightline” also outperformed CBS’ “Letterman” among Total Viewers and Adults 25-54 for the fifth straight week. Additionally, “Nightline” displayed its smallest A25-54 gap with “Leno” for the first week of a season in over 10 years and the smallest total viewing gap in over 8 years.

    “Nightline” posted 4.06 million Total Viewers, growing 9% compared to last year, while “Leno” declined BY double-digits (-10%). Among the key Adults 25-54 demo, “Nightline” grew 5% vs. last year while NBC again declined (-14%). “Nightline” also increased week to week, 27% among Total Viewers and 24% among A25-54.

    “Nightline” also cut the total viewing and A25-54 gaps with NBC’s “Leno” to the smallest margins since the week of December 24, 2007. Compared to last year, “Nightline” closed the A25-54 gap with “Leno” by 69% and the total viewing gap by 55%.  Year to date, “Nightline” closed the A25-54 gap with NBC by 36% and the total viewing gap by 19%.

        *Note: “Nightline” aired late on Wednesday due the President’s speech to the nation—the program was coded as a special and ratings are excluded from the average.

    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.

    (Week of September 22, 2008)   TOTAL VIEWERS       A25-54 (000)/ Rtg
    ABC “Nightline”                   4,060,000            1,840,000/ 1.5
    CBS “Late Show”                   3,940,000            1,830,000/ 1.5
    NBC “Tonight”                     4,730,000            2,030,000/ 1.6
    Source: NTI

    ABC Media Relations Contact:
    Alison Bridgman 202.222.7370