Standard apples to oranges caveats about ABC comparing one hour shows to its 30 minute Nightline show numbers.
via press release:
“NIGHTLINE” BESTS “TONIGHT SHOW” FOR 19th CONSECUTIVE WEEK
“NIGHTLINE” TIES “TONIGHT” FOR FIRST PLACE IN A18-49 RATING
“NIGHTLINE” GROWS +9% AMONG TOTAL VIEWERS YEAR TO YEAR WHILE “TONIGHT SHOW” DECLINES -50%
ABC News “Nightline” is #2 among Total Viewers and Adults 25-54 for the week of October 26, 2009, according to Nielsen Media Research. This marks the nineteenth consecutive week “Nightline” beat NBC’s “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien” among Total Viewers. The last time “Nightline” beat “Tonight” nineteen consecutive weeks was in 1994. “Nightline” also tied “Tonight” in the A18-49 rating (1.0).
“Nightline” continues to experience growth compared to last year. The program grew +9% among Total Viewers versus the same week last year as “Tonight” in comparison declined -50%.
Season to date, “Nightline” is up +8% among Total Viewers while “Tonight” in comparison has declined -47%.
Last week, “Nightline” aired a special about the H1N1 virus, a report on the Arizona sweat lodge tragedy, and an inside look at a medevac unit saving lives in Afghanistan.
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 26, 2009)
TOTAL VIEWERS A25-54(000)/ Rtg A18-49(000)/ Rtg
ABC “Nightline” 3,960,000 1,530,000/ 1.2 1,280,000/ 1.0
CBS “Late Show” 4,000,000 1,630,000/ 1.3 1,240,000/ .9
NBC “Tonight” 2,440,000 1,360,000/ 1.1 1,300,000/ 1.0
Source: NTI – A25-54, Adults 18-49 & Total Viewers – Wks. of 10/26/09 & 10/27/08 Live +SD. STD: Live +7 (where available) & Live +SD for 9/21/09-11/1/09 & 9/22/08-11/2/08.
Well, Conan won the demo, but only by 60,000 viewers.
Michael, indeed, that’s what’s on his joke tombstone.
I feel obligated, as the Robert Christgau of late night television, to comment every week. Of course I’m also known in these circles as the supreme commander of the “lunatic fringe” movement. However, lately I haven’t had much to say. The weekly reports, so well done by Robert and Bill (with Razorblade Suitcase like precision) have done the talking for me. I know I said I was done with Razorblade Suitcase, I’m sorry.
Gavin and Marylin sitting in a tree….
LOL @ The tombstone..
I can understand rationale for choosing one talk show over another, but a news show. Just doesn’t make sense.
If this continues for say, a year, would NBC ever consider expanding news to an hour, starting The Tonight Show at 12, Late Night at 1 and abandoning Carson?
Then you get news vs. news, you have Conan’s monologue competing with Letterman’s guests and Kimmel, a fight he should win, and you can take some of the pressure off Fallon.
Looks like Nightline has some legs beyond Michael Jackson after all.
I think that ABC’s crowing of “Nightline” is complete and utter b.s. because it is only a thirty minute show. Anyone agree? Has the network considered expanding to an hour?