ABC News “Nightline” placed second among Total Viewers, A25-54, and A18-49 for the just- completed second quarter, outperforming CBS’ “Late Show with David Letterman,” according to Nielsen Media Research. The last time “Nightline” beat Letterman for a 2nd quarter among both Total Viewers and A25-54 was in 2000. Additionally, this marks “Nightline’s” best 2nd quarter total viewer delivery since 2004 and the program’s best 2nd quarter A25-54 delivery since 2006.
Compared to 2nd quarter 2009, “Nightline” was the only program to increase versus the competition. Among Adults 25-54, “Nightline” averaged 1.59 million, growing +6% while NBC’s “The Tonight Show” in comparison declined -27% and “Letterman” decreased -3%. Among Total Viewers, “Nightline” averaged 3.70 million, growing +2% while “The Tonight Show” declined -21% and “Letterman” decreased -7%. “Nightline” grew +3% among Adults 18-49 while “The Tonight Show” declined -33% and “Letterman” decreased -7%. “The Tonight Show” posted its lowest A25-54 and total viewer deliveries for a 2nd quarter in at least 18 years (since at least 2nd quarter 1992,which is as far back as Research’s records date). For a 2nd quarter, “Letterman” dropped to its lowest A25-54 delivery since at least 1992 and lowest total viewer delivery since 1993.
“Nightline” cut the A25-54 gap with “The Tonight Show” by -86% and the total viewing gap with NBC by -77% compared to 2nd quarter 2009, the smallest gaps for a 2nd quarter in 15 years (since 1995).
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.
FIRST TIME IN 10 YEARS “NIGHTLINE” BEATS “LETTERMAN” FOR A 2nd QUARTER AMONG BOTH A25-54 & TOTAL VIEWERS.
“NIGHTLINE” POSTS BEST 2ND QUARTER DELIVERY AMONG TOTAL VIEWERS IN 6 YEARS.
“NIGHTLINE” GROWS VS. 2ND QUARTER ’09 AS CBS AND NBC DECLINE.
“NIGHTLINE” CUTS A25-54 & TOTAL VIEWING GAPS WITH “THE TONIGHT SHOW” TO SMALLEST MARGIN IN 15 YEARS.
(Second Quarter 2009)
TOTAL VIEWERS A25-54(000)/ Rtg A18-49(000)/ Rtg
ABC “Nightline” 3,700,000 1,590,000/ 1.3 1,300,000/ 1.0
CBS “Late Show” 3,280,000 1,470,000/ 1.2 1,130,000/ .9
NBC “Tonight” 4,030,000 1,710,000/ 1.4 1,390,000/ 1.1
(Source: ABC – NTI – – The Nielsen Company, NTI Total Viewers, Adults 25-54 & Adults 18-49 Live+7 (where available) for 2nd Quarter ’10 (3/29/10-6/27/10) & 2nd Quarter ’09 (3/30/09-6/28/09).
