ABC's WORLD NEWS Delivers Biggest Gain in Total Viewers from Last Week

For the week of February 24, 2014, "ABC World News with Diane Sawyer" averaged 8.438 million Total Viewers and a 1.9 rating/7 share/2.274 million in Adults 25-54, according to Nielsen Media Research. "World News" grew from the previous week in both Total Viewers (+5%) and Adults 25-54 (+3%) - 8.012 million and 2.212 million, respectively, on w/o 2/17/14. "World News" saw the most Total Viewer gain week to week and was the only evening newscast to grow in the key adult news demo compared to "CBS Evening News" (+2%/-1%) and "NBC Nightly News" (-7%/-9%).

"World News" was also up over the year-ago week in Adults 25-54 (+2% - 2.274 million vs. 2.232 million on w/o 2/25/14). In addition, "World News" stood as the only program to grow in the news demo on the same week last year as both "CBS Evening News" (-9%) and "NBC Nightly News" (-1%) were down. Further, the ABC evening newscast has turned in year-to-year news demo increases in 5 of the last 6 weeks.

"World News" ranked No. 1 in Adults 25-54 on Wednesday (2/26/13), beating "NBC Nightly News" on the night by +160,000 demo viewers (2.527 million vs. 2.367 million).

Week to week, "World News" slashed its Total Viewer margin with "NBC Nightly News" in half in Total Viewers (-50% - 1.204 million vs. 2.386 million) and its Adults 25-54 margin by more than three-quarters (-77% - 92,000 vs. 398,000). Further, "World News" posted its closest news demo performance of the season with "NBC Nightly News" - closest since w/o 9/9/13.

Season to date, "World News" is up versus the same point last season in both Total Viewers (+3%) and Adults 25-54 (+3%), delivering its most-watched season in 5 years and best news demo number in 3 years - since the 2008-09 and the 2010-11 seasons, respectively. "World News" also stands as the only evening newscast to improve its demo performance from the previous season compared to "CBS Evening News" (-6%) and "NBC Nightly News" (flat).

In addition, "World News" is narrowing its season margin with "NBC Nightly News" in Adults 25-54 by double digits (-19% - 275,000 vs. 338,000) compared to its season margin from the same point last year. In fact, cutting its Adults 25-54 gap for the 4th consecutive season, "World News" is seeing its closest news demo performance with the NBC program in 6 years - since the 2007-08 season.

"World News" has more than doubled its Adults 25-54 lead over "CBS Evening News" versus its year-ago season lead (+101% - 354,000 vs. 176,000).

For the week, "ABC World News" beat the "CBS Evening News" by 1.192 million Total Viewers and by 481,000 Adults 25-54, delivered its largest Total Viewer lead over the CBS program in 5 weeks - since w/o 1/20/14.

February 2014 Sweep

For the February 2014 sweep, "ABC World News with Diane Sawyer" delivered 8.776 million Total Viewers and a 2.0 rating/7 share/2.446 million among Adults 25-54, according to Nielsen Media Research.

For the 2nd straight sweep, "ABC World News" posted increases in both Total Viewers and Adults 25-54 from the previous sweep (+6%/+19% - 8.245 million and 2.053 million, respectively, for November 2013) and the year-ago sweep (+3%/+8% - 8.505 million and 2.266 million, respectively, for February 2013). In fact, "World News" saw its most-watched sweep in more than 5 years and top Adults 25-54 sweep delivery in 4 years - since November 2008 and February 2010, respectively.

"World News" led CBS' "Evening News" by 962,000 Total Viewers and by 399,000 Adults 25-54 viewers during the February 2014 sweep, scoring its best news demo sweeps advantage 3 years - since February 2011.

EVENING NEWS (Week of February 24, 2014)

TOTAL VIEWERS ADULTS 25-54 ADULTS 18-49 HOUSEHOLDS
ABC WORLD NEWS 8,438,000 1.9/7; 2,274,000 1.3/6; 1,628,000 5.6/10
NBC NIGHTLY NEWS 9,642,000 2.0/7; 2,366,000 1.4/6; 1,748,000 6.5/12
CBS EVENING NEWS 7,246,000 1.5/6; 1,793,000 1.0/4; 1,210,000 4.8/ 9

EVENING NEWS (February 2014)

TOTAL VIEWERS ADULTS 25-54 ADULTS 18-49 HOUSEHOLDS
ABC WORLD NEWS 8,776,000 2.0/7; 2,446,000 1.3/5; 1,698,000 5.8/11
NBC NIGHTLY NEWS 10,742,000 2.4/8; 2,814,000 1.7/7; 2,099,000 7.0/13
CBS EVENING NEWS 7,814,000 1.7/6; 2,047,000 1.1/5; 1,403,000 5.1/ 9

Source: The Nielsen Company, NTI Total Viewers and Adults 25-54 Live + SD weeks of 2/24/14, 2/17/14 and 2/25/13. Most Current: 2013-2014 Season (9/23/13 - 3/2/14) and 2012-2013 Season (9/24/12 - 3/4/13). Most Current: February 2014 Sweep (1/30-2/26/14), February 2013 (1/31-2/27/13) and November 2013 (10/31-11/27/13). Sweep periods (November, February, May and July). All averages based on regular telecasts. NOTE: Due to the digital transition, the 2009 February sweep was 3/5 - 4/1/09.