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Media Life

With Holt in Full Command, NBC’s ‘Nightly News’ Reclaims No. 1 Spot

Jul 23, 2015  •  Post A Comment

Ever since NBC News settled the issue of who would be the permanent host of its “Nightly News” broadcast — officially naming Lester Holt as the replacement for Brian Williams four weeks ago — the program has turned it around and made a solid move back into the top ratings spot among evening newscasts.

Media Life reports that Holt has moved the NBC program “firmly into first place, after months of battling with ABC for first among total viewers and adults 25-54 while Holt filled in during Brian Williams’ suspension.”

Citing Nielsen figures, the report says “NBC Nightly News” averaged 7.814 million total viewers for the week ended July 19, topping “ABC World News Tonight with David Muir,” which averaged 7.505 million.

In the key news demo of adults 25-54, NBC totaled 1.876 million to 1.795 million for ABC.

“CBS Evening News with Scott Pelley” was third in both categories, averaging 6.488 million total viewers and 1.444 million adults 25-54.

“It marked the first four-week winning stretch for NBC among total viewers and 25-54s since the month ended Feb. 9, days before Williams was suspended,” Media Life notes.

nbc nightly news-lester holt

One Comment

  1. This is not surprising to me. He’s a first class journalist of the old school, a class act and people are responding to it.

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