via press release:

“NIGHTLINE” IS #1 AMONG ADULTS 18-49 & TOTAL VIEWERS – BESTS “LETTERMAN” AND “TONIGHT SHOW” FOR THIRD CONSECUTIVE WEEK

NIGHTLINE” GROWS +7% AMONG TOTAL VIEWERS YEAR TO YEAR WHILE “TONIGHT SHOW” DECLINES -50%

ABC News “Nightline” was #1 among Adults 18-49 and Total Viewers  for the week of November16, 2009 outperformingNBC’s “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien” and CBS’ “Late Show with David Letterman,” according to Nielsen Media Research. This is the third week in a row “Nightline” placed first among Total Viewers and A18-49.  It also marks the twenty-second consecutive week “Nightline” beat “The Tonight Show” among Total Viewers. This is the first time “Nightline” has beaten “The Tonight Show” among Total Viewers for twenty-two consecutive weeks since at least the 1991/92 season, which is as far as records date. Additionally, “Nightline” tied “Letterman” in the A 25-54 rating (1.3).

“Nightline” continues to experience growth.  Compared to the same week last year, the program increased +7% among Total Viewers as “Tonight” in comparison declined -50%.  Season to date, “Nightline” is up +2% among Total Viewers while “The Tonight Show,” in comparison has declined -49%.

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 November 16, 2009)

TOTAL VIEWERS A25-54(000)/ Rtg A18-49(000)/ Rtg

ABC “Nightline”         4,150,000     1,620,000/ 1.3   1,350,000/ 1.0

CBS “Late Show”         3,980,000     1,640,000/ 1.3   1,300,000/ 1.0

NBC “Tonight”           2,330,000     1,310,000/ 1.1   1,260,000/ 1.0

Source: NTI – - A25-54, Adults 18-49 & Total Viewers – Wks. of 11/16/09, 11/9/09 & 11/17/08 Live +SD.   STD: Live +7 (where available) & Live +SD for 9/21/09-11/22/09 & 9/22/08-11/23/08.