ABC WORLD NEWS Closes Total Viewer Gap with NBC NIGHTLY NEWS During November Sweep

For the November 2012 sweep, "ABC World News with Diane Sawyer" delivered 8.28 million Total Viewers and a 1.8 rating/7 share/2.18 million among Adults 25-54, according to Nielsen Media Research.

For the 2nd November in a row, "ABC World News" cut its sweep gaps with "NBC Nightly News" in Total Viewers (-31% - 730,000 vs. 1.06 million) and Adults 25-54 (-3% - 396,000 vs. 407,000), turning in its smallest November sweep margins with the NBC program in 4 years - since November 2008.

"World News" improved on the November 2011 sweep (7.96 million and 2.12 million - November 2011) among both Total Viewers (+4%) and Adults 25-54 (+3%) to draw its largest overall November audience in 4 years and strongest in the demo in 3 years - since November 2008 and November 2009, respectively. In addition, "World News" was up by double digits versus the previous sweep (7.22 million and 1.89 million - July 2012) in Total Viewers (+15%) and Adults 25-54 (+15%) to post its best numbers in 7 sweeps periods - since February 2011.

"World News" outperformed CBS' "Evening News" by 1.44 million Total Viewers and by 243,000 Adults 25-54 viewers during the November 2012 sweep.

During the November sweep the newscast reported on the impact of Superstorm Sandy, brought viewers the whole political picture leading up to and following the 2012 Presidential election, and provided a global perspective on the conflict between Israel and Gaza.

For the week of November 19, 2012, "ABC World News with Diane Sawyer" averaged 8.26 million Total Viewers and a 1.7 rating/7 share/2.04 million in Adults 25-54, according to Nielsen Media Research.

Season to date, "World News" has increased its Total Viewing audience (7.67 million vs. 7.65 million) compared to the same point last season, drawing its most-watched season in 3 years - since 2009-10. In addition, "World News" has narrowed its Total Viewer gap (-20%) with "NBC Nightly News" by double digits for the second year in a row to post its smallest gap (648,000) with the NBC program in 4 years- since the 2008-09 season.

"World News" beat "CBS Evening News" by 1.20 million Total Viewers and 133,000 Adults 25-54.

Note: Last week, George Stephanopoulos anchored "World News" Monday-Tuesday. ABC's and CBS' weekly averages are based on two days (Mon-Tue), while NBC's weekly average is based on three days (Mon, Tues & Fri). With Thanksgiving week, "ABC World News" and "NBC Nightly News" were coded as specials on Wednesday and Thursday and "CBS Evening News" were coded as specials from Wednesday thru Friday. All specials are excluded from the weekly averages. In addition, "World News" on Friday aired only on the West Coast.

"ABC World News with Diane Sawyer" airs at 6:30 p.m., ET on the ABC Television Network. Michael Corn is the executive producer of the broadcast. 

EVENING NEWS (November 2012 Sweep)
Total Viewers
Adults 25-54
Households
ABC
8,277,000
1.8/7; 2,176,000
5.5/11
NBC
9,007,000
2.2/7; 2,572,000
6.0/11
CBS
6,835,000
1.6/6; 1,933,000
4.7/ 9

EVENING NEWS (Week of November 19, 2012)
Total Viewers
Adults 25-54
Households
ABC
8,256,000
1.7/7; 2,041,000
5.5/11
NBC
10,153,000
2.2/7; 2,658,000
6.8/12
CBS
7,052,000
1.6/5; 1,908,000
4.8/ 8

Source: The Nielsen Company, NTI Total Viewers and Adults 25-54 Live + SD weeks of 11/19/12, 11/12/12 & 11/21/11. Most Current - 2011-2012 Season (9/24 - 11/25/12) and 2011-2012 Season (9/19 - 11/27/11). November 2012 Sweep (10/25-11/21/12), November 2011 Sweep (10/27-11/23/11) and July 2012 Sweep (6/28 - 7/25/12). Sweep periods (November, February, May and July). All averages based on regular telecasts.

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