NIGHTLINE Takes Top Spot in Late-Night in 9 of 10 Weeks of Season

For the week of December 3, ABC's "Nightline" finished as late-night's No. 1 program for the 2nd week running in all key target demos: Total Viewers (3.839 million), Adults 25-54 (1.452 million) and Adults 18-49 (1.131 million), according to Nielsen. "Nightline" has taken the top spot among late-night programs in broadcast in 9 of 10 weeks this season in viewers and in the key adult news demo.

For the 2nd week in a row, "Nightline" was up on its week-ago performance in Adults 25-54 (+1%) and Adults 18-49 (+3%) – 1.441 million and 1.101 million, respectively, on w/o 11/26/12.  

"Nightline" delivered across-the-board, year-to-year growth in all key target demos: Total Viewers (+7%), Adults 25-54 (+5%) and Adults 18-49 (+8%) – 3.603 million, 1.378 million and 1.048 million, respectively, on w/o 12/5/11.

"Nightline" staked claim to the week's No. 1 late-night telecast with its Thursday airing (12/6/12) in Total Viewers (4.114 million), Adults 25-54 (1.618 million) and Adults 18-49 (1.283 million).  

Season to date, "Nightline" ranks No. 1 among the late-night broadcast programs in Total Viewers, Adults 25-54 and Adults 18-49, ahead of both NBC's "The Tonight Show" and CBS' "The Late Show." This marks the 3rd straight year that the ABC program is taking the top spot in all 3 measures. 

During the week of December 3, "Nightline" featured an exclusive investigation into DNA-altered salmon and an exclusive interview with John McAfee about being on the run before his arrest. The broadcast also reported on the latest in the Florida lottery murder trial, the chilling details from the former soldiers linked to at least eight murders, as well as features on the small, revolutionary Gopro cameras, a surprising study on drivers asleep at the wheel, and Country star Loretta Lynn.

ABC News' "Nightline" is anchored by Cynthia McFadden, Terry Moran and Bill Weir. Juju Chang is a correspondent. Jeanmarie Condon is the executive producer. The program airs weeknights from 11:35 p.m., ET to 12:00 a.m. on the ABC Television Network.

PROGRAM AVERAGES    TOTAL VIEWERS    A25-54(000)/ Rtg    A18-49(000)/ Rtg 
ABC "Nightline"       3,839,000       1,452,000/ 1.2      1,131,000/ 0.9
CBS "Late Show"       3,159,000       1,266,000/ 1.1        920,000/ 0.7
NBC "Tonight Show"    3,503,000       1,299,000/ 1.1      1,041,000/ 0.8

Source:  The Nielsen Company, NTI Total Viewers and Adults 25-54 Live + SD weeks of 12/3/12, 11/26/12 & 12/5/11.  Most Current - 2011-2012 Season (9/24 – 12/9/12) and 2011-2012 Season (9/19 – 12/4/11).  (Note: Due to coverage of Hurricane Sandy, w/o 10/29/12 was coded as a breakout and is excluded from the season count)  

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