TV Primetime Ratings: Mondays Are Strong For CBS-TV

The primetime TV ratings for the week of March 2, 2026 (typically covering Monday, March 2 through Sunday, March 8, based on Nielsen's standard weekly measurement periods) reflect a mix of broadcast network programming and strong cable performances, particularly in news and entertainment. Data comes from sources like The TV Ratings Guide, ustvdb.com, Nielsen Top 10 aggregates, and Adweek TVNewser.

Broadcast networks saw typical midseason competition with procedurals, reality shows, and dramas leading. 

Key highlights from daily breakdowns (e.g., 18-49 demo ratings and total viewers where available):

• CBS often performed strongly on Mondays with The Neighborhood hitting a season high (0.42 in 18-49, ~4 million viewers) and shows like Marshals and Tracker ranking among the week's top overall programs in total viewers (e.g., Marshals at ~9.5 million in recent aggregates).
• ABC had solid showings from American Idol (0.42 on Monday, ~5.2 million viewers) and crossovers like 9-1-1 and 9-1-1: Nashville boosting Thursday numbers.
• NBC had declines in some slots (e.g., The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins at 0.28 on Monday, down sharply).
• Other networks like Fox saw gains in unscripted/reality (e.g., Next Level Chef, Animal Control), while The CW trailed with lower-rated shows.

For overall weekly top programs (Nielsen Big Data + Panel, Persons 2+ total viewers, cross-platform including broadcast/cable/syndication/live streaming), recent snapshots (e.g., week ending around March 1-8) showed CBS's Marshals leading at ~9.5 million, followed by ABC's World News Tonight episodes in the 8.6-9.4 million range, and Fox News specials/events like State of the Union coverage at ~8.9 million.

TV Ratings: NBC's TODAY Continues Winning Streak

The TV ratings for the broadcast morning shows (primarily NBC's Today, ABC's Good Morning America (GMA), and CBS Mornings) for the week of March 2, 2026 (covering roughly March 2–8, depending on exact Nielsen measurement periods, often Monday–Friday or adjusted for holidays/events) come from Nielsen's national live+same-day big data plus program ratings.

This was the week ending around March 8, 2026. Today extended its lead to a seventh consecutive weekly win in total viewers.

Key averages for the week of March 2, 2026:

• NBC's Today: 3,252,000 total viewers (the only show to grow week-to-week in total viewers; it created separation from GMA). In the key Adults 25-54 demo, it remained dominant (exact demo figure not detailed in all reports but consistently led prior weeks around 600k+).
• ABC's Good Morning America (GMA): 2,985,000 total viewers (down -5% week-to-week in total viewers and the demo; the only show with declines in both categories compared to the prior week of Feb 23). Year-over-year (vs. same week in 2025), it was up +9% in total viewers and +4% in the demo.
• CBS Mornings: 1,775,000 total viewers (flat or minor changes from prior week; consistently trailed far behind in third place). It often saw year-over-year declines in prior periods.

TV Ratings: FOX News Posts Strongest Weekday Ratings Of The Year

FOX News Channel (FNC) finished the week of March 2nd delivering its highest-rated week of the year while topping ABC and NBC in weekday and Monday - Sunday primetime viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research Big Data + Panel. 

As audiences tuned into the network for breaking news coverage surrounding Iran, FNC averaged 3.6 million weekday primetime viewers, leading ABC (3,280,000 viewers) and NBC (3,262,000 viewers), according to Nielsen Big Data + Panel. 

Additionally, FNC averaged 3.1 million viewers in Monday - Sunday primetime viewers, outpacing ABC (2,849,000) and NBC (2,879,000) in total viewers, according to Nielsen Big Data + Panel. Monday - Sunday total day (6 AM-6 AM/ET), FNC delivered over 2 million viewers and 224,000 in the 25-54 demo, while in primetime the network averaged over 3.1 million viewers and 362,000 in the 25-54 demo. FOX News also drove 198 million YouTube views, nearly tripling its nearest competitor and leading all news brands and broadcast networks. Additionally, The Will Cain Show marked the show's highest-rated week in program history.

Just How Big Is YouTube, Anyway?

YouTube has long been a dominant force in entertainment. We've known this for years—well before it became a staple on living room TVs, solidified its position as a podcast powerhouse, and built an advertising business that's grown to rival Netflix's scale on its own.

Now, fresh analysis from industry researchers at MoffettNathanson shows that Alphabet's YouTube has officially become the world's largest media company by revenue, based on estimates for fiscal year 2025.

Move over, Walt Disney:  MoffettNathanson pegs YouTube's 2025 revenue at around $62 billion (with some reports citing $62.3 billion), a figure that aligns closely with Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai's recent confirmation that YouTube's sales across advertising and subscriptions surpassed $60 billion for the year.

This puts YouTube ahead of Disney's core media operations. After stripping out Disney's massive Experiences segment (think theme parks and consumer products), the company's Entertainment and Sports divisions—which include box office earnings (about $6.6 billion globally from movies in 2025), plus subscription revenue from Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN—totaled roughly $60.9 billion (or around $60.2 billion in some breakdowns). 

With Nearly 9M Viewers, ABC's WNT Is Tops In All TV

“World News Tonight with David Muir” stood as the No. 1 program in Total Viewers (8.901 million) on all of broadcast and cable during the week of March 2, 2026, based on Live+Same Day Big Data Plus Panel Program Ratings from Nielsen Media Research.

• “World News Tonight” ranked as the No. 1 newscast across broadcast and cable in Total Viewers (8.901 million), Adults 25-54 (1.104 million) and Adults 18-49 (818,000).
• “World News Tonight” outdelivered “NBC Nightly News” (6.898 million, 1.054 million and 741,000, respectively) in Total Viewers (+29%/+2.003 million), Adults 25-54 (+5%/+50,000) and Adults 18-49 (+10%/+77,000).
• “World News Tonight” increased its lead over “NBC Nightly News” week to week in Total Viewers (+8% – 2.003 million vs. 1.854 million), Adults 25-54 (+28% – 50,000 vs. 39,000) and Adults 18-49 (+10% – 77,000 vs. 70,000) to deliver its largest advantages in 5 weeks — since w/o 1/26/26.
• For the second week in a row, “World News Tonight” increased its Total Viewer margin over “NBC Nightly News” year to year (+32% – 2.003 million vs. 1.513 million) by double digits.
• “World News Tonight” turned in gains on the previous week in Total Viewers (+3%/+259,000 – 8.901 million vs. 8.642 million), Adults 25-54 (+7%/+76,000 – 1.104 million vs. 1.028 million) and Adults 18-49 (+8%/+59,000 – 818,000 vs. 759,000).

Cumulus vs Nielsen Lawsuit On Hold

A federal judge has stayed the high-stakes antitrust lawsuit between Cumulus Media and Nielsen Audio after Cumulus filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, putting the entire case on hold indefinitely.

U.S. District Judge Jeannette A. Vargas issued the order one week after Cumulus launched its prepackaged bankruptcy proceedings in the Southern District of Texas. The litigation, which challenges Nielsen's practice of tying national radio ratings data sales to purchases of local ratings data, is now dormant in New York federal court while Cumulus reorganizes under Judge Alfredo R. Perez in Houston.

Nielsen's counterclaims against Cumulus are automatically stayed under the Bankruptcy Code's automatic stay provision, which halts most actions against a debtor. Judge Vargas separately stayed Cumulus's antitrust claims against Nielsen a discretionary step not strictly required by the Code, but one Cumulus consented to avoid duplicative proceedings.

The underlying dispute began in October 2025, when Cumulus sued Nielsen, alleging antitrust violations through coercive bundling that harmed competition. Following a December evidentiary hearing, Judge Vargas granted Cumulus a preliminary injunction in January 2026, finding a substantial likelihood of success. 

Good Morning! Let's Check The Pulse for Thursday, March 12

Radio Broadcasting

Revenue Forecasts and Industry Stability: Analysts from Kagan project modest radio revenue gains in 2026, driven by local advertising and political spending (e.g., midterm elections), offsetting declines in national/network ads—keeping overall growth mostly flat

Salem Media Group swung to a net loss of $34.6 million in 2025, reversing net income of $16.2 million in 2024, as the Christian and conservative multimedia company absorbed heavy impairment charges on its broadcast assets amid declining revenue.

iHeartMedia announced the lineup for the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards (airing March 26 on FOX), featuring performances by Alex Warren, Lainey Wilson, Ludacris (hosting and receiving the Landmark Award), RAYE, TLC, En Vogue, Salt-N-Pepa, and more; Miley Cyrus gets the Innovator Award. This highlights radio's role in music promotion and events amid streaming competition.

Detroit Radio: ALT 98.7 Launches 'Amanda In The AM'

ALT 98.7 (WDZH-FM), an Audacy station in Detroit, welcomes Amanda Habrowski as its new morning show host. Her new show, “Amanda in the AM,” will air weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. ET starting March 12.

“This next chapter for ALT 98.7, Detroit's Alternative Rock, is about amplifying the music that defines the city’s alternative scene,” said Debbie Kenyon, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Audacy Detroit. “Bringing Amanda back to Detroit isn’t just a talent addition; it’s a statement. Her edge, authenticity and deep connection to the city make her the perfect voice for the station. As we continue to grow ALT 98.7, we’re doubling down on bold programming, fresh energy and a local presence that reflects the sound and spirit of Detroit. We are ready for our listeners to rock with Amanda in the mornings.”

“I left Detroit to chase a dream, and now I get to come home and live it. I’m beyond grateful for everyone who helped shape my path along the way,” said Habrowski. “To still be here after 20 years of learning, evolving, and pushing through is something I’m really proud of. I’ve been building this whole time, and I’m excited to keep growing, give back, and have some fun with it.”

Salem Media Reports Losing $34.5M In 2025

Salem Media Group swung to a net loss of $34.6 million in 2025, reversing net income of $16.2 million in 2024, as the Christian and conservative multimedia company absorbed heavy impairment charges on its broadcast assets amid declining revenue.

Total net revenue fell about 10% to $212.7 million from $237.6 million in the prior year.On a per-share basis, the company reported a loss of $1.11, compared with earnings of $0.59 per share in 2024.The widened loss stemmed largely from a $25.2 million impairment charge on indefinite-lived broadcast assets—far above the $4.4 million recorded in 2024—driving broadcast licenses' reported value down to $151.8 million from $181.9 million. 

USA Today Names New Top Editor

USA Today has appointed Jamie Stockwell as its vice president of news, the third leader in the top editorial role in three years. She starts March 30, 2026.

Stockwell, most recently deputy managing editor of news at The Washington Post—where she was laid off amid major staff cuts—will report to Senior Vice President Monica Richardson. Unlike the traditional "editor in chief" title, the position uses "vice president of news" as the outlet modernizes its approach.

She succeeds Caren Bohan, who left abruptly in December 2025 after just over a year, and Terence Samuel, who departed suddenly in July 2024 after about a year in the role.

MLB Braves Launching Streaming Coverage

The Atlanta Braves launched Braves.TV on Wednesday, introducing a new premium streaming service that lets fans watch more than 140 regular-season games with no local blackouts—a major win for viewers in the team's home television market who previously faced restrictions.

The service delivers live game broadcasts, along with pregame and postgame shows, plus on-demand replays of every matchup. Subscriptions are now available for the full 2026 season at $99.99 (less than 70 cents per game based on a typical schedule), with monthly options coming soon at $19.99 per month ahead of Opening Day. 

Fans can also bundle Braves.TV with an out-of-market MLB.TV package to access every MLB team's games for $199.99 per season or $39.99 per month.