Press release - Ratings
December 17, 2025
ABC NEWS’ ‘NIGHTLINE’ RANKS #1 IN TOTAL VIEWERS
‘Nightline’ Grows Week to Week in Total Viewers and Adults 25-54
Season to Date, ‘Nightline’ Leads ‘Late Night with Seth Meyers’ Across the Board, Beating the NBC Program in Both Key Adult Demos for the 3rd Consecutive Season
ABC News’ “Nightline” ranked No. 1 in Total Viewers (921,000) for the week of Dec. 8, 2025, based on Live+Same Day Big Data Plus Panel Program Ratings from Nielsen Media Research, leading NBC’s “Seth Meyers.”
- “Nightline” posted week-to-week increases in Total Viewers (+14% – 921,000 vs. 811,000) and Adults 25-54 (+5% – 153,000 vs. 146,000).
- Season to date, “Nightline” (999,000, 192,000 and 133,000, respectively) leads NBC’s “Late Night with Seth Meyers” (963,000, 187,000 and 128,000, respectively) in Total Viewers, Adults 25-54 and Adults 18-49. In fact, “Nightline” is ranking No. 1 in Adults 25-54 and Adults 18-49 for the 3rd straight year.
- This week “Nightline” covered Wendy Williams’ attorney sharing how a new medical evaluation is raising questions about Williams’ dementia diagnosis; Taylor Swift pulling back the curtain on her iconic “Eras Tour” in new Disney+ docuseries “The End of an Era”; the 2025 Golden Globe® nominations; “American Idol” star Jordin Sparks opening up about her collaboration with the Jonas Brothers and the vocal hemorrhage that almost stole her voice; Brian Walshe’s Boston murder trial heading to jury; DNA evidence linking suspect to cold case of Long Island teen Theresa Fusco; the mother of pregnant woman who was declared braindead and kept on life support speaking out; the Oklahoma high school student who was convicted of sexual assault but serving no prison time; former “Real Housewives” star Jen Shah being released early from federal prison and more.
NOTE: On Friday (12/12/25), NBC’s “Seth Meyers” was retitled to “Seth Meyers-SM.” NBC’s weekly averages are based on four days (Monday-Thursday).
ABC News’ “Nightline” is late-night television’s prestigious, award-winning news program featuring the most powerful, in-depth stories that shape our lives and the world around us. It is anchored by Juju Chang and Byron Pitts. Eman Varoqua is executive producer. The program airs weeknights from 12:35-1:05 a.m. ET on ABC. “Nightline” has also produced numerous original documentaries available on ABC News’ digital platforms, Disney+ and Hulu.
WEEK OF DEC. 8, 2025:
| PROGRAM AVERAGES | TOTAL VIEWERS | A25-54(000)/RTG | A18-49(000)/RTG |
| ABC’s “Nightline” | 921,000 | 153,000/0.1 | 107,000/0.1 |
| NBC’s “Late Night” | 786,000 | 168,000/0.1 | 113,000/0.1 |
Source: Nielsen, NTI Total Viewers, Adults 25-54 and Adults 18-49 National Live + Same Day Big Data Plus Panel Program Ratings. Current Week (w/o 12/8/25), Previous Week (w/o 12/1/25) and Year-Ago Week (w/o 12/9/24). Season to date: Most Current Data Stream: 2025-2026 Season (9/22 – 12/14/25) and 2024-2025 Season (9/23 – 12/15/24). Beginning 12/26/22, averages are based on Big Data Plus Panel ratings. Beginning 8/31/20, national ratings also include Out of Home (OOH) viewing. Averages based on regular telecasts.
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