CBS, NBC Evening Newscasts Suffer Worst July Sweep in Demo Since 1991

Though Scott Pelley show nets 6 million viewers for first time since 2006

Scott Pelley Brian Williams

This August, NBC and CBS News are trying to forget their Julys.

Last month, “Nightly News” and “Evening News” both had their lowest sweep period in the key 25-54 news demo since electronic records began in 1991.

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All numbers below are per “most current” data from Nielsen.

ABC’s “World News With Diane Sawyer” took the July sweep and was the only one of the three to rise in the demo. Coupled with a May sweep victory, this marks the first time in seven years that ABC’s evening newscast won consecutive sweep periods.

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“World News” pulled in 7.4 million total viewers, with a 1.6 rating and 1.9 million viewers in the 25-54 demo.

NBC’s “Nightly News” had the most total viewers (7.8 million), but dipped to a 1.5 in the demo and had 1.8 million there.  CBS’ “Evening News” had a 1.2 demo rating, but topped 6 million viewers in the July sweep period for the first time since 2006.

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