ABC's WORLD NEWS Is Most-Watched Evening Newscast in Key Demo

For the week of June 3, 2013, "ABC World News with Diane Sawyer" averaged 6.99 million Total Viewers and a 1.4 rating/7 share/1.71 million in Adults 25-54, according to Nielsen Media Research. For the 3rd week running, "World News" built on the year-ago week in both Total Viewers (+4%) and Adults 25-54 (+1%) - 6.71 million and 1.70 million on w/o 6/4/12. Additionally, "World News" was the only evening newscast to grow year-to year in both measures, as CBS' "Evening News" (+9%/flat) and NBC's "Nightly News" (flat/-6%) were both mixed.

"World News" ranked as the most-watched evening newscast twice during the week in Total Viewers, topping NBC's "Nightly News" by +110,000 on Monday (7.507 million vs. 7.397 million - 6/4/13) and by +113,000 on Friday (7.044 million vs. 6.931 million - 6/8/12). This marks the first time since September that "World News" beat the NBC program twice in Total Viewers during the course of the week - since w/o 9/24/12.

In addition, "World News" finished No. 1 in Adults 25-54 on Friday, beating the NBC's "Nightly News" by +32,000 demo viewers (1.723 million vs. 1.691 million). "World News" has been No. 1 on Friday for the last 3 weeks and in 4 of the last 5.

"World News" cut its Total Viewer gap with "NBC Nightly News" from the previous week by -8% (548,000 vs. 593,000) to deliver its closest overall viewer performance with the NBC newscast in nearly 3 months - since w/o 3/18/13.

For the 2nd straight week, "World News" closed on its year-to-year margins with "NBC Nightly News" by strong double-digits among both Total Viewers (-34%, 548,000 vs. 834,000) and Adults 25-54 (-38%, 216,000 vs. 394,000).

Season-to-date, "World News" has increased its Total Viewing audience (+3%) compared to the same point last season, drawing its most-watched season in 2 years - since the 2010-11 season. "World News" narrowed its margins with "NBC Nightly News" by double-digits among both Total Viewers (-25%) and Adults 25-54 (-10%) to post its smallest margins in Total Viewers (773,000) and Adults 25-54 (317,000) with the NBC program in 4 years - since the 2008-09 season.

For the week, "World News" beat "CBS Evening News" by 1.29 million Total Viewers and by 199,000 Adults 25-54.

Note: Due to the NBA Finals Game 1 on Thursday (6/6/13), "World News" was retitled "Wrld News Tonite" and was excluded from the average. ABC's weekly average is based on four days (Mon - Wed and Fri), while NBC's and CBS' weekly averages are based on five days.

"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. Follow Diane Sawyer and the "World News" team online: @DianeSawyer; @ABCWorldNews; facebook.com/DianeSawyer; facebook.com/WorldNews.

EVENING NEWS (Week of June 3, 2013)

Total Viewers Adults 25-54 Households
ABC 6,990,000 1.4/7; 1,712,000 4.8/11
NBC 7,538,000 1.6/7; 1,928,000 5.1/11
CBS 5,700,000 1.3/5; 1,513,000 3.9/ 8

Source: The Nielsen Company, NTI Total Viewers and Adults 25-54 Live + SD weeks of 6/3/13, 5/27/13 & 6/4/12. Most Current - 2012-2013 Season (9/24/12 - 6/9/13) and 2011-2012 Season (9/19/11 - 6/10/12). All averages based on regular telecasts.

Don't Miss a TV News Story Sign up for all the news on the Spring season, discounts & more...