FOR 35TH CONSECUTIVE QUARTER, ABC’S ‘WORLD NEWS TONIGHT WITH DAVID MUIR’ IS MOST-WATCHED NEWSCAST IN AMERICA — BEATING NBC IN 4TH QUARTER BY MORE THAN 1.6 MILLION VIEWERS — AND IS #1 IN TOTAL VIEWERS, ADULTS 25-54 AND ADULTS 18-49

 

4th Quarter 2025

ABC News’ “World News Tonight with David Muir” was the most-watched newscast across broadcast and cable in the 4th Quarter 2025 in Total Viewers (7.862 million), Adults 25-54 (974,000) and Adults 18-49 (696,000), based on Most Current Big Data+Panel Ratings. In fact, “World News Tonight” won the 4th quarter across the board for the sixth year in a row — since 4Q20.“World News Tonight” led for the 24th straight quarter in Total Viewers and Adults 25-54 — since 1Q20. Further, the ABC evening newscast has won in Total Viewers for the last 35 quarters — since 2Q17.

• “World News Tonight” outdelivered “NBC Nightly News” (6.224 million, 848,000 and 580,000, respectively) in Total Viewers (+26%/+1.638 million), Adults 25-54 (+15%/+126,000) and Adults 18-49 (+20%/+116,000).
• “World News Tonight” was up compared to the previous quarter (3Q25) in Total Viewers (+5%/+389,000 – 7.862 million vs. 7.473 million), Adults 25-54 (+4%/38,000 – 974,000 vs. 936,000) and Adults 18-49 (+6%/+41,000 – 696,000 vs. 655,000).
• “World News Tonight” (7.862 million, 974,000 and 696,000, respectively) defeated “CBS Evening News” (4.031 million, 502,000, and 372,000, respectively) by 3.831 million Total Viewers, by 472,000 Adults 25-54 and by 326,000 Adults 18-49. In fact, “World News Tonight” turned in its largest 4th Quarter Total Viewers lead in at least 34 years — since 4Q91; the Nielsen electronic database started in September 1991.

Week of Dec. 22, 2025

“World News Tonight with David Muir” stood as the No. 1 program in Total Viewers (7.537 million) on all of broadcast and cable (excluding sports) during the week of Dec. 22, 2025, based on Live+Same Day Big Data Plus Panel Program Ratings from Nielsen Media Research.

• “World News Tonight” ranked as the No. 1 newscast across broadcast and cable in Total Viewers (7.537 million), Adults 25-54 (910,000) and Adults 18-49 (660,000).
• “World News Tonight” outperformed “NBC Nightly News” (6.217 million, 851,000 and 634,000, respectively) in Total Viewers (+21%/+1.320 million), Adults 25-54 (+7%/+59,000) and Adults 18-49 (+4%/+26,000).
• “World News Tonight” increased its lead over “NBC Nightly News” versus the year-ago week in Total Viewers (+13% – 1.320 million vs. 1.172 million) and Adults 25-54 (+7% – 59,000 vs. 55,000).
• “World News Tonight” (7.537 million, 910,000 and 660,000, respectively) beat “CBS Evening News” (3.876 million, 579,000 and 455,000, respectively) in Total Viewers (+94%/+3.661 million), Adults 25-54 (+57%/+331,000) and Adults 18-49 (+45%/+205,000).
• Season to date, “World News Tonight” (7.862 million) is ranking No. 1 in Total Viewers for the 10th straight year based on Most Current Big Data+Panel Ratings. “World News Tonight” is leading “NBC Nightly News” (6.224 million) by 1.638 million and “CBS Evening News” (4.031 million) by 3.831 million. In addition, “World News Tonight” is delivering its largest Total Viewer season lead over the CBS program in at least 34 years — since at least the 1991-1992 season; the Nielsen electronic database started in September 1991.
• “World News Tonight” is ranking No. 1 in Adults 25-54 and Adults 18-49 for the 7th season in a row. “World News Tonight” (974,000 and 696,000, respectively) is leading NBC (848,000 and 580,000, respectively) by 126,000 Adults 25-54 and by 116,000 Adults 18-49. Additionally, “World News Tonight” is widening margins with “CBS Evening News” (502,000 and 370,000, respectively) by double digits in Adults 25-54 (+22% – 472,000 vs. 387,000) and Adults 18-49 (+27% – 326,000 vs. 257,000) versus the comparable weeks last season.

NOTE: “World News Tonight” was retitled to “WNT-ABC” on Monday (12/22/25), coded as a special on Wednesday (12/24/25) and Friday (12/26/25), and preempted on Thursday (12/25/25). “CBS Evening News” and “NBC Nightly News” were coded as specials on Wednesday and Thursday. “NBC Nightly News” was retitled to “NBC Nitely News” on Tuesday and Friday. The retitled and specialed telecasts are excluded from the weekly and season averages. ABC’s (Tuesday) and NBC’s (Monday) weekly averages are based on one day, while CBS’ weekly averages are based on three days (Monday, Tuesday and Friday).

ABC’s “World News Tonight with David Muir” airs 6:30-7:00 p.m. ET on ABC. Chris Dinan is the executive producer of the broadcast.

EVENING NEWS (4th Quarter, 2025)

	TOTAL VIEWERS	ADULTS 25-54	ADULTS 18-49
ABC WORLD NEWS TONIGHT	7,862,000	974,000	696,000
NBC NIGHTLY NEWS	6,224,000	848,000	580,000
CBS EVENING NEWS	4,031,000	502,000	370,000

EVENING NEWS (Week of Dec. 22, 2025)

	TOTAL VIEWERS	ADULTS 25-54	ADULTS 18-49
ABC WORLD NEWS TONIGHT	7,537,000	910,000	660,000
NBC NIGHTLY NEWS	6,217,000	851,000	634,000
CBS EVENING NEWS	3,876,000	579,000	455,000

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 12/22/25), Previous Week (w/o 12/15/25) and Year-Ago Week (w/o 12/23/24). Season to date: Most Current Data Stream: 2025-2026 Season (9/22 – 12/28/25) and 2024-2025 Season (9/23 – 12/29/24). Live+7/Most Current: 4Q25: 9/22/25 – 12/28/25, 3Q25: 6/30 – 9/21/25 and 4Q24: 9/23/24 – 12/39/24, Beginning 12/26/22, averages are based on Big Data Plus Panel ratings.

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