World News Tonight Wins Full Season

ABC and NBC claimed ratings crowns for their news programs in the 2016-17 TV season that ended last week, but their kingdom of viewers is still getting smaller.

The average number of viewers watching network evening newscasts each night during the 2016-17 season was 23.1 million, down 4% from the 2015-16 season. In the morning, the three networks’ total was 12.2 million viewers, a decline of 5% from the previous year.

The drop in the overall number of viewers shows how broadcast news is facing the same disruption that has occurred in the rest of the TV business. More choices for viewers means less time with the traditional programs that have been cornerstones of the network TV business.

“I don’t think there is any media genre on the planet that is immune to the way technological change has shifted people’s consumption habits,” said NBC News President Noah Oppenheim. “The reality of it is we are all walking around with devices in our hands that give us information to all that is happening in the world at any given time.”

Still, reports TheLATimes, the networks touted their wins for bragging rights for their morning and evening programs. Nielsen data showed “ABC World News Tonight With David Muir” was the most-watched evening news program with 8.3 million viewers, even with its audience in the 2015-16 season. It breaks a 21-year streak of seasonal wins for “NBC Nightly News,” which had 8.2 million viewers, down 6%.

TV Newser Graphic

ABC’s “Good Morning America” finished first among the morning shows for the fifth straight season with 4.4 million viewers, a decline of 7%.

“ABC World News” was down 6% in the 25- to 54-year-old demographic, while “Good Morning America” lost nearly 12% of that audience.

NBC’s morning program “Today” and “NBC Nightly News” topped ABC’s programs in the 25- to 54-year-old group that advertisers seek. But “Today” was down 10% in the demographic while “Nightly News” was off 7%.

CBS’ programs finished third in both overall viewers and in the 25- to 54-year-old demographic. “CBS This Morning” held up better than its two competitors with 3.56 million viewers but declined 11% in the demographic.

“CBS Evening News,” which is currently fronted by interim anchor Anthony Mason, finished the season with 6.6 million viewers, a 6% decline. It was off 11% in the 25- to 54-year-old demographic.

Network broadcast news has also faced an unexpected challenge as cable news ratings continued to surge over their record levels in 2016 during the presidential race.