Despite Brian Williams being suspended, 'NBC Nightly News' was the most-watched evening newscast for the February 2015 sweeps period, according to Nielsen Media Research data. The NBC broadcast was #1 in total viewers and the A25-54 and A18-49 demos.
For the sweep, 'NBC Nightly News' finished first among total viewers (9.839 million), among 25-54 year olds (2.459 million) and among 18-49 year olds (1.745 million). NBC has won 30 consecutive sweeps in total viewers. This is the 6th consecutive February sweeps win in the A25-54 demo, and the 30th in A18-49.
in overall audience. In the news demo, the NBC newscast has finished first for six consecutive February sweep periods, and its also has been No. 1 in the younger demo for for 30 consecutive sweeps.
For ABC's 'World News Tonight with David Muir', although they didn't win any demo, it has been their most watched February sweeps period in 8 years. For February, they averaged 9.452 million total viewers, 2.401 million in the A25-54 , and 1.606 million in the A18-49 demo.
For the 2nd sweep in a row, 'World News Tonight' scored across-the-board gains versus the previous sweep (8.989 million, 2.287 million and 1.542 million, respectively, for November 2014) in all key target demos: Total Viewers (+5%), Adults 25-54 (+5%) and Adults 18-49 (+4%).
Compared to a year-ago sweep, 'World News Tonight' improved in Total Viewers by 8% (9.452 million vs. 8.788 million for February 2014), increasing its overall February sweep audience for the 3rd year in a row. In addition, 'World News' was up the most versus February 2014 compared to 'CBS Evening News' (+3%) and 'NBC Nightly News' (-8%).
The 'CBS Evening News with Scott Pelley' posted its best February sweep delivery in viewers in nine years (since February 2006). The 'CBS Evening News' is up +3% in viewers (8.01 million from 7.81 million) compared to the February 2014 Sweep. Season to date, they are up +2% in viewers (7.44 million from 7.28 million) and even in adults 25-54 (1.5/06) compared to last year.
Source: The Nielsen Company, NTI Total Viewers, Adults 25-54 and Adults 18-49 Live + SD weeks of 2/23/15, 2/16/15 and 2/24/14.
Most Current: 2014-2015 Season (9/22/14 – 3/1/15) and 2013-2014 Season (9/23/13 – 3/2/14).
Most Current: February 2015 Sweep (1/29-2/25/15), February 2014 Sweep (1/30-2/26/14) and November 2014 Sweep (10/30-11/26/14).
Sweep periods (November, February, May and July).
NOTE: Due to the digital transition, the 2009 February sweep was 3/5 – 4/1/09. Averages based on regular telecasts.
