TV Rating CBS Evening News’ Compared With NBC & ABC

CBS Evening News with new anchor Tony Dokoupil is the only major evening broadcast losing viewers, dropping 7% in total viewers and 8% in the key Adults 25-54 demographic for the week of January 26, according to Nielsen ratings reported by AdWeek.

The show averaged 4.538 million total viewers and 623,000 in the 25-54 demo that week—down from the prior week and also showing year-over-year declines of 6% in total viewers and 9% in the demo (compared to the same week in 2025, which featured the debut of previous anchors John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois).

Dokoupil, formerly co-anchor of CBS Mornings, began hosting on January 5—about a month before this period—and his tenure has drawn some criticism, including accusations that he and CBS News leadership are attempting to appeal to President Trump. 

In sharp contrast, rivals posted gains:

• ABC World News Tonight with David Muir led decisively, averaging 9.244 million total viewers and 1.182 million in the 25-54 demo. It rose 3% in total viewers and 9% in the demo week-to-week, and climbed 11% in total viewers and 4% in the demo year-over-year.
• NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas placed second, averaging 7.150 million total viewers and 1.040 million in the demo. It increased 4% in both categories from the previous week, and rose 3% in total viewers year-over-year (though the demo fell 5%).

These figures highlight ABC and NBC continuing to build momentum while CBS trails significantly in both total audience and the advertiser-preferred demographic.