Logo

Sunday Newsmaker Shows See Growth in November Sweeps

Dec 1, 2008  •  Post A Comment

The presidential election and Washington’s fascination with what it can see in the rear-view mirror and the crystal ball added up to good ratings news, including double-digit increases, in the November sweeps for the Sunday morning newsmaker shows.
First-place “Meet the Press,” which was in the steady hands of former “Nightly News” anchor Tom Brokaw while NBC News executives toss the metaphorical chicken bones that will help decide the long-term caretaker of the long-dominant franchise, chalked up its biggest November audience in four years.
For ABC’s second-place “This Week,” it was the best sweeps performance yet in George Stephanopoulos’ six years as moderator.
CBS’ “Face the Nation” racked up its best November sweeps since 2005.
According to data from Nielsen Media Research, “Meet the Press” averaged 4.52 million viewers for the sweeps, 1.58 million of them in the key news demographic of 25-54. Compared to November 2007, “Meet” was up 29% in total viewers and 33% in the demo.
“This Week” averaged 3.52 million viewers, 1.26 million of them in the 25-54 demo. The year-to-year growth was 26% and 27%, respectively.
“Face the Nation” averaged 3.11 million viewers, 1.13 million of them in the demo, November-to-November increases of 23% and 33%, respectively.
“Fox News Sunday” on Fox Broadcasting-affiliated stations averaged 1.53 million viewers, 590,000 in the news demo, up 19% and 2%, respectively.
For the season to date, “Meet the Press” is up 32% in total viewers and up 37% in the demo, compared to the comparable Sundays with the late Tim Russert moderating.
“This Week” is up 32% and 30% in total viewers and the demo, respectively, season-to-date. “Face the Nation” is up 29% and 31%. “Fox News Sunday” is up 26% and 17%.

Your Comment

Email (will not be published)