US Evening News Ratings Reveal Widening Gap as CBS Faces Internal Turmoil
The latest evening news ratings highlight a growing divide between ABC and its primary rivals, CBS and NBC, as both networks continue to lose ground in a challenging broadcast environment characterised by declining viewership and internal shake-ups.
Weekly Ratings Performance Shows ABC's Strong Lead
For the week of April 6, ABC maintained its leadership position in both total viewers and the crucial adults 25–54 demographic, while CBS and NBC lagged significantly behind, according to fresh Nielsen data.
ABC World News Tonight, anchored by David Muir, averaged 8.417 million total viewers and 1.067 million in the key demographic for the week. This performance represented a slight dip from the previous week, with total viewership down 2 percent and the key demo unchanged. However, the broadcast demonstrated robust year-over-year growth, rising 12 percent in total viewers and 5 percent in the key demo compared to the same week in 2025.
NBC Nightly News, anchored by Tom Llamas, averaged 6.434 million total viewers and 909,000 in the key adults 25–54 demographic for the week. The broadcast experienced a noticeable week-over-week decline, dropping 4 percent in total viewers and 13 percent in the key demo. Despite that short-term dip, NBC posted year-over-year gains, increasing 6 percent in total viewers and 7 percent in the demo compared to the same week last year.
CBS Evening News with Tony Dokoupil continued to trail its rivals during the week of April 6, averaging 3.807 million total viewers and 477,000 in the adults 25–54 demographic. The numbers took a significant dip from the week before, with viewership down 8 percent overall and falling an even steeper 16 percent among younger viewers. Compared to the same time last year, total viewers ticked up slightly by 2 percent, but the key demo dropped 3 percent, underscoring the network's persistent struggle to attract a younger audience.
Special Coverage Boosts ABC's Dominance
Meanwhile, ABC World News Tonight delivered a standout performance on April 10 with special live coverage of the Artemis II return to Earth. Anchored by Muir, the broadcast drew 9.77 million total viewers and 2.362 million in the key demo, making it the most-watched program of the night.
Other networks trailed considerably during that special coverage window. Fox News drew 4.999 million total viewers and 543,000 in the demo, while CBS News followed with 4.585 million viewers and 843,000 in the demo, according to the data. NBC News aired its own coverage, bringing in 3.912 million total viewers and 946,000 in the key demographic.
Internal Conflicts at CBS News Intensify
CBS, in particular, has been under intense scrutiny following its recent overhaul of the Evening News anchored by Dokoupil and shaped by editor-in-chief Bari Weiss. Insiders report that tensions are escalating at CBS News as Weiss and CBS President Tom Cibrowski clash over strategies to improve ratings. The two hold sharply different visions, with one staffer describing their dynamic to the New York Post last week as the odd couple.
Cibrowski is reportedly advocating for a softer editorial approach aimed at appealing to Middle America, while Weiss is pushing for a more aggressive, digital-first strategy focused on hard news and enterprise reporting. This internal discord comes at a critical time as the network grapples with its third-place position in the ratings race.
NBC's Strategic Moves to Broaden Appeal
NBC, meanwhile, has remained comfortably in second place, with Nightly News showing steady performance since Llamas took over from Lester Holt in June. Nevertheless, the network is actively working to expand its appeal, especially among younger viewers, as it competes with ABC World News Tonight, anchored by Muir.
NBC is heavily leveraging Llamas' background as a former ABC correspondent, and someone once viewed as a potential successor to Muir, to help refresh its image. Part of that push includes extending his presence beyond the traditional broadcast. Llamas also hosts the streaming companion program Top Story immediately after Nightly News, a strategic move designed to keep viewers engaged longer and reach audiences who are increasingly consuming news beyond traditional television platforms.
The latest ratings data and internal reports paint a picture of a broadcast news landscape in flux, with ABC consolidating its lead while its rivals navigate both external market pressures and internal strategic disagreements.
