ABC’s comparing of half hour numbers to one hour numbers is a bit of a PR misdirection play.
While we don’t see them, we are confident that on a half hour basis, both Conan and Letterman easily beat Nightline. And for the week in question both the Tonight Show and Late Show were in repeats.
Do note thought that Letterman beat Conan for the week in adults 18-49.
via press release:
“NIGHTLINE” IS #1 IN TOTAL VIEWERS – OUTPERFORMS “TONIGHT SHOW” FOR 18thCONSECUTIVE WEEK
“NIGHTLINE” #1 AMONG A18-49 – TIES “LETTERMAN” FOR FIRST PLACE
“NIGHTLINE” GROWS +3% AMONG TOTAL VIEWERS YEAR TO YEAR WHILE “TONIGHT SHOW” DECLINES -42% AND “LETTERMAN” DECLINES -2%
ABC News “Nightline” was #1 among Total Viewers for the week of October 19, 2009, outperforming NBC’s “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien” and CBS’ “Late Show with David Letterman” according to Nielsen Media Research. This marks the eighteenth consecutive week “Nightline” beat “Tonight.” The last time “Nightline” beat “Tonight” eighteen consecutive weeks was in 1994. Among Adults 18-49, “Nightline” was #1, tying “Letterman” for first place with 1.25 million. Note: “Letterman” and “Tonight” aired repeats last week.
“Nightline” continues to experience growth compared to last year. The program was the only show up against the competition, growing +3% among Total Viewers versus the same week last year as “Tonight,” in comparison declined -42% and “Letterman” declined -2%.
Season to date, “Nightline” is up +8% among Total Viewers while “Tonight,” in comparison has declined -46%.
Last Thursday and Friday, “Nightline” aired special editions about the Church of Scientology. On Thursday the program averaged 4.02 million viewers and Friday’s show averaged 4.25 million.
ABC News’ “Nightline” is anchored by Cynthia McFadden, Terry Moran and Martin Bashir. John Donvan and Vicki Mabrey are correspondents. James Goldston is the executive producer. The program airs weeknights at 11:35 p.m., ET on the ABC Television Network.
(Week of October 19, 2009)
TOTAL VIEWERS A25-54(000)/ Rtg A18-49(000)/ Rtg
ABC “Nightline” 3,870,000 1,530,000/ 1.2 1,250,000/ .9
CBS “Late Show” 3,690,000 1,560,000/ 1.3 1,250,000/ 1.0
NBC “Tonight” 2,390,000 1,280,000/ 1.0 1,210,000/ .9
Source: Source: NTI – A25-54, Adults 18-49 & Total Viewers – Wks. of 10/19/09 & 10/20/08 Live +SD. STD: Live +7 (where available) & Live +SD for 9/21/08-10/25/09 & 9/22/08-10/26/08.
ABC also fails to mention that both the Tonight Show and the Late Show were in repeats last week. Frankly, I think Nightline’s number aren’t that great at all given that it wasn’t up against new shows.
Oops, ABC did mention that the other shows were in repeats. My mistake.
I like the rotating anchors, as well as the general tone of Nightline lately. It has a younger and more relevant slant than it did in the last few years.
How can they crow about “Nightline” growing and “Late Show” declining when Dave seems to be having one of his best seasons ever? I don’t understand the spin here. “Late Show” is up in TOTAL viewers AND 18-49 compared to last season, so is this really accurate? Bill and company, am I missing something here?