“World News with Charles Gibson” Posts Highest Total Viewer Delivery in 10 Months and Best Demo Delivery in 9 Months

Week-to-Week, ABC Broadcast Posts Gains Among Total & Demo Viewers, Growing the Most of Any Evening Newscast

“World News” Cuts Viewing Gaps with NBC Week-to-Week and Year-to-Year, While Also Extending Advantages Over CBS

For the week of December 7th, ABC’s “World News with Charles Gibson” averaged 8.80 million Total Viewers and a 2.0/7 among Adults 25-54, according to Nielsen Media Research. This marks the broadcast’s best Total Viewing delivery in more than 10 months (week of 1/26/09) and its highest demo delivery in 9 months (week of 2/23/09).

Week-to-week, “World News” grew the most of any evening newscast, increasing 460,000 (+6%) among Total Viewers and 270,000 (+12%) in the key Adult 25-54 demo.

“World News” cut into the Total Viewing and demo gaps with NBC, both week-to-week and year-to-year. The ABC broadcast shrank the demo gap with NBC by 31% compared to the prior week and by 37% versus this week last year. Among Total Viewers, “World News” narrowed the difference with “Nightly” by 13% week-to-week and by 23% year-to-year.

Additionally, “World News” extended its viewing advantage over CBS’ “Evening News” last week. The ABC broadcast outperformed CBS among Total Viewers by 15% week-to-week and by 39% year-to-year. In the key adult demo, “World News” increased its demo advantage over CBS by 78% compared to last week and 4% compared to last year.

Year-to-year, “World News” was the only evening newscast to display growth among Total Viewers, increasing 3%.

On the digital front, “World News’” online properties posted impressive gains compared to a year ago. On the “World News” section on ABCNEWS.com, video views were up 83%, uniques were up 137%, and visits were up 157% year-to-year. Additionally the “World Newser,” the broadcast’s blog, was up 116% week-to-week.

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

EVENING NEWS (Week of December 7, 2009)

  Total Viewers     Adults 25-54 Households

ABC   8,800,000     2.0/7; 2,520,000 5.9/11

NBC   9,890,000     2.4/8; 2,960,000 6.5/12

CBS   6,760,000 1.6/6; 2,040,000     4.6/8

Source: Nielsen, NTI (Total Viewers and Adults 25-54 Live + SD weeks of 12/7/09, 11/30/09, and 12/8/08)