The program outperforms competitors as CBS and NBC experience declines in viewership
Category: U.S. News
ABC World News Tonight with David Muir has emerged as the dominant evening news program for the week of June 29, 2026, averaging 8.128 million total viewers and 964,000 in the key Adults 25-54 demographic, according to Nielsen ratings data. This marks the 12th consecutive week that the program has ranked as the most-watched evening news broadcast across all of television.
In a week influenced by the July 4th holiday, which led to scheduling shifts and anchor substitutions, ABC World News Tonight was the only major evening news show to see week-over-week growth. Meanwhile, both NBC Nightly News and CBS Evening News experienced declines in their ratings.
ABC World News Tonight's viewership increased by 8 percent compared to the previous week, and it was up 13 percent in total viewers compared to the same week in 2025. The program also saw a slight increase of 1 percent in the Adults 25-54 demographic compared to the prior week, though it was down 3 percent year-over-year.
In comparison, NBC Nightly News, which was anchored by Haillie Jackson during the week due to regular host Tom Llamas being off, averaged 6.16 million total viewers and 856,000 demo viewers. This represented a decline of 3 percent in total viewers and 4 percent in the key demographic compared to the previous week. Nevertheless, NBC Nightly News saw a year-over-year increase of 12 percent in both total viewers and the demo.
CBS Evening News, hosted by Tony Dokoupil, struggled significantly, finishing the week with just 3.765 million total viewers and 501,000 in the demo. This was a drop of 6 percent in total viewers and 13 percent in the demo from the week prior. On a more positive note, CBS Evening News reported a 1 percent increase in total viewers and an 8 percent increase in the key demo compared to the same week in 2025.
The week of June 29 saw all three networks adjusting their schedules due to the holiday. ABC’s ratings were based on broadcasts from Monday and Tuesday, whereas NBC’s data included four days (Monday to Thursday) and CBS’s was based on three days (Monday to Wednesday). Notably, broadcasts on July 1 and 2 were coded as specials due to the holiday and excluded from the weekly averages.
ABC World News Tonight has maintained its position as the leading evening news program for the past decade, a remarkable achievement in a competitive media environment. The program's success is attributed to its engaging reporting and the credibility of its anchor, David Muir. The latest ratings highlight a growing trend where viewers are increasingly turning to ABC for their evening news, especially during key events and holidays.
In terms of viewership, ABC World News Tonight outperformed NBC Nightly News by a substantial margin of 1.968 million total viewers and by 108,000 in the Adults 25-54 demographic. This marks a 30 percent increase in the total viewer margin compared to the previous week, and a staggering 66 percent increase in the Adults 25-54 demographic margin.
Meanwhile, NBC Nightly News has been facing challenges, particularly with the recent anchor changes. Tom Llamas's absence may have contributed to the slight decline in ratings. In addition, CBS Evening News has struggled to maintain its audience, dropping below the 4 million viewer mark, a benchmark it had surpassed the previous week. The competition among these evening news programs highlights the shifting preferences of viewers, particularly among younger demographics.
Looking ahead, the ratings for the upcoming weeks will be closely monitored as the networks prepare for the summer news season, which often sees fluctuations in viewership. ABC World News Tonight is expected to continue its strong performance, particularly as it capitalizes on its recent momentum. The program is also likely to focus on engaging stories that resonate with audiences, maintaining its lead in the ratings.
As the newscasts gear up for the second half of the year, the competition will intensify, especially with the upcoming political season and major events that are likely to draw viewer interest. Both NBC and CBS will need to strategize effectively to reclaim lost ground and attract younger viewers, who are increasingly turning to digital platforms for news consumption.
With the current ratings trends, ABC World News Tonight is not only solidifying its position as the top evening news program but is also setting records in terms of viewership margins over its competitors. The program's success in the coming weeks will depend on its ability to adapt to changing viewer habits and preferences.
As the summer progresses, audiences will be looking for reliable news coverage, and ABC World News Tonight appears well-positioned to meet that demand, continuing to lead in both total viewers and key demographics.