“World News with Charles Gibson” Posts Best Total Viewer Delivery in More Than 8 Months and Highest Demo Delivery in Over 7 Months

ABC Broadcast Extends Lead Over CBS to 2.18 Million Total Viewers

Marks ABC’s Largest Advantage in 7 Weeks

For the week of November 2nd, ABC’s “World News with Charles Gibson” averaged 8.38 million Total Viewers and a 1.9/7 among Adults 25-54, according to Nielsen Media Research. Last week marked the broadcast’s best Total Viewer delivery in more than 8 months (week of 2/23/09) and its highest demo delivery in more than 7 months (week of 3/30/09).

Week-to-week, “World News” grew 430,000 among Total Viewers and was steady among Adults 25-54.

“World News” again extended its viewing advantage over CBS’ “Evening News” to a gap of +2.18 million, a 5% increase week-to-week. This marks ABC’s largest Total Viewing lead over CBS in 7 weeks (week of 9/14/09).

On the digital front, “World News’” digital properties again posted impressive gains compared to a year ago and week-to-week. On the “World News” section on ABCNEWS.com, page views were up 215% year-to-year and 23% week-to-week and uniques were up 859% year-to-year and 63% week-to-week. The “World Newser,” the broadcast’s blog, was up 60% compared to this week last year and 21% versus the prior week.

Last week’s “World News” featured comprehensive coverage of the tragic shooting at Fort Hood with in-depth reports on the investigation, the victims, and survivors. The day after the shooting, Charles Gibson conducted an exclusive interview with Army Chief of Staff General George Casey Jr. and his wife, Sheila. The broadcast also included an investigation from ABC News Chief Investigative Correspondent Brian Ross that uncovered reports of 16 deaths and more than 200 accidents due to sudden acceleration in some Toyota cars.

Jon Banner is the executive producer of “ABC’s World News with Charles Gibson.”

EVENING NEWS (Week of November 2, 2009)

  Total Viewers     Adults 25-54 Households

ABC   8,380,000     1.9/7; 2,320,000 5.7/11

NBC   9,470,000     2.3/8; 2,920,000 6.2/12

CBS   6,200,000 1.5/5; 1,870,000     4.2/8

Source: Nielsen, NTI (Total Viewers and Adults 25-54 Live + SD weeks of 11/2/09 and 10/26/09)