ABC News' "Good Morning America" stood as the No. 1 morning program during the 4th Quarter 2012 in both Total Viewers (5.077 million) and Adults 25-54 (1.940 million), according to Nielsen Media Research. In fact, 4Q12 stands as the first time that "GMA" has won a quarter in Adults 25-54 in more than 18 years - since 3Q94. In addition, after also winning 3Q12, the ABC morning newscast has turned in its first back-to-back quarter wins in Total Viewers in more than 18 years - since 2Q94 and 3Q94, respectively. Impressively, "GMA" ranked No. 1 in all 13 weeks of 4Q12 in Total Viewers and in 12 of 13 weeks in Adults 25-54.
"GMA" outperformed NBC's "Today" (4.556 million and 1.841 million) during 4Q12 by its largest quarter margins in Total Viewers (+521,000) and Adults 25-54 (+99,000) in nearly 20 years - since 2Q93 and 2Q94, respectively.
"GMA" improved on the previous quarter (4.757 million and 1.772 million - 3Q12) in both Total Viewers (+7%) and Adults 25-54 (+9%), drawing its largest overall quarter audience in nearly 7 years - since 1Q06.
"GMA" posted gains on the year-ago quarter (4.843 million and 1.906 million - 4Q11) for the 2nd year in a row in both Total Viewers (+5%) and Adults 25-54 (+2%), attracting its largest 4th quarter audience in 7 years and strongest performance in Adults 25-54 in 4 years - since 4Q05 and 4Q08, respectively. Additionally, during the course of 4Q12, "GMA" built on its year-ago week performance in all 13 weeks in Total Viewers and in 11 of 13 weeks in Adults 25-54. Further, "GMA" was the only morning program to grow from the year-ago quarter in both measures, as "CBS This Morning" was mixed (+3%/-4%) and NBC's "Today Show" (-16%/-24%) fell by double digits.
"GMA" outdelivered CBS' "Early Show" during 4Q12 by 2.444 million Total Viewers and by 938,000 Adults 25-54, marking "GMA's" largest news Total Viewer lead over the
CBS program during a 4th quarter in more than 21 years - since at least the 1991-92 season; Nielsen's electronic database started on September of 1991.
Week of December 24, 2012
For the week of December 24, 2012, ABC's "Good Morning America" ranked No. 1 in both Total Viewers (4.645 million) and Adults 25-54 (1.611 million), according to Nielsen Media Research. Building its margins for the 3rd week in a row, "GMA" outdelivered NBC's "Today" (4.066 million and 1.522 million) by its largest Total Viewer lead (+579,000) in 4 weeks and by its widest news demo advantage (+89,000) in 2 months - since w/o 11/26/12 and w/o 10/22/12, respectively.
Versus the same week last year (w/o 12/26/11 - 4.164 million and 1.453 million, respectively) "GMA" grew in both Total Viewers (+12%) and Adults 25-54 (+11%), while NBC's "Today Show" (-14%/-25%) posted decreases.
Season to date, "GMA" stands as the No. 1 morning news program in both Total Viewers and Adults 25-54. In fact, "GMA" is leading "Today" by its largest season margin in overall viewers (+521,000) in more than 21 years, and in the key adult news demo (+99,000) in 21 years - since at least the 1991-92 season and since the 1991-92 season, respectively; Nielsen's electronic database started on September of 1991.
Season to date "GMA" is up in both Total Viewers (+5%) and Adults 25-54 (+2%) versus its year-ago averages, growing the most year to year in Total Viewers and standing as the only morning newscast to grow in the key adult news demo (NBC's "Today" is down -16%/-24%, respectively; CBS' "This Morning" is mixed +3%/-4%, respectively). "GMA" is seeing its largest overall season audience in 7 years and best Adult 25-54 performance in 4 years - since the 2005-06 and 2008-09 seasons, respectively.
For the week, "GMA" towered over "CBS This Morning" in Total Viewers (+81%) and Adults 25-54 (+70%).
Note: Due to the Christmas holiday, ABC's "Good Morning America," NBC's "Today" and "CBS This Morning" were coded as specials on Monday (12/24/25) and Tuesday (12/25/12) and are excluded from the weekly averages. Each program's averages are based on 3 days (Wed-Fri).
4th QUARTER, 2012 TOTAL VIEWERS ADULTS 25-54 HOUSEHOLDS
ABC 5,077,000 1.6/12; 1,940,000 3.8/14
NBC 4,556,000 1.6/11; 1,841,000 3.5/13
CBS 2,633,000 0.8/ 6; 1,002,000 2.0/ 7
WEEK OF 12/24/12 TOTAL VIEWERS ADULTS 25-54 HOUSEHOLDS
ABC 4,645,000 1.4/11; 1,611,000 3.5/14
NBC 4,066,000 1.3/10; 1,522,000 3.1/13
CBS 2,567,000 0.8/ 6; 950,000 2.0/ 8
Source: The Nielsen Company, NTI Total Viewers and Adults 25-54 Live + SD weeks of 12/24/12, 12/17/12 & 12/26/11. Most Current - 2011-2012 Season (9/24 - 12/28/12) and 2011-2012 Season (9/19 - 12/30/11). All averages based on regular telecasts. (*Note: Due to coverage of Hurricane Sandy, w/o 10/29/12 was coded as a breakout and is excluded from the season count). Most Current: 4Q11: 9/24/12 - 12/30/12. 3Q11: 6/25 - 9/23/12. 4Q11: 9/19/11 - 12/25/11.
Emmy Award-winning "GMA," featuring the anchor team of
Robin Roberts,
George Stephanopoulos,
Sam Champion,
Lara Spencer and
Josh Elliott, airs live Mon.-Fri. (7:00-9:00 a.m., ET) on ABC.
Tom Cibrowski is senior executive producer.