An Estimated 111 Million People Watch All or Part of CBS News’ Major Broadcasts Through First Six Weeks of 2015-2016 TV Season

More people have watched all or part of the original reporting featured on CBS News’ major broadcasts through the first six weeks of the 2015-2016 television season than those from any other broadcast network news division in America, according to Nielsen’s most current ratings. An estimated 111.2 million people have watched all or part of the Network’s news programs, with an estimated 42.58 million of those viewers in the 25-54 demographic, which is desired most by those who advertise in news.

CBS News’ cumulative audience for the season is more than 9 million viewers ahead of NBC and more than 19 million viewers more than ABC, according to Nielsen.

The Network’s news strength also extends beyond the cumulative audience statistics. On a season-to-date basis with viewers, CBS News is home to the #1 news program in the country (60 MINUTES); the #1 Sunday morning news program (CBS SUNDAY MORNING WITH CHARLES OSGOOD); the #1 Sunday morning public affairs program (FACE THE NATION); the #1 Saturday night non-sports program (48 HOURS); the network evening news with the largest percentage of growth (CBS EVENING NEWS WITH SCOTT PELLEY); and the only network morning show to grow year-to-year (CBS THIS MORNING).

Here’s a recap of how CBS News broadcasts performed last week, according to Nielsen live plus same day ratings:

The CBS EVENING NEWS WITH SCOTT PELLEY posted the largest percentage gains of the network evening news broadcasts in key news demographics for the week ending Oct. 30.The broadcast delivered 7.25 million viewers (+9% from 6.67m last year) and a 1.4/06 (+8% from 1.3/05 last year). The broadcast closed the viewership gap with NBC by 760,000 viewers and with ABC by 200,000 viewers.  Editor’s Note: Ratings for the week ending Oct. 30 and the year-ago comparison represent a four-day average (Monday-Wednesday, Friday) as the broadcast aired under an amended title on Thursday due to THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL. Season-to-date, the CBS EVENING NEWS WITH SCOTT PELLEY is posting the largest percentage viewership gains among the evening newscasts. The broadcast is delivering 6.89 million viewers (+6% from 6.49m last year) and a 1.3/06 with adults 25-54 (even from last year.)

60 MINUTES remained America’s #1 news program. On Nov. 1, the broadcast delivered 11 million viewers and a 2.2/05 with adults 25-54. Season-to-date, 60 MINUTES is the #1 news program on television, delivering 13.47 million viewers (+3% from 13.07m) and a 3.0/08 with adults 25-54 (+3% from 2.9/07).

FACE THE NATION was the #1 Sunday morning public affairs program and posted a double-digit percentage gains in viewers on Nov. 1. The broadcast delivered 3.42 million viewers (+ 18% from 2.90m last year) and a 0.6/02 with adults 25-54. Editor’s Note: FACE THE NATION’s second half-hour was broadcast contiguously across 57.4% of the CBS affiliates. Season-to-date, FACE THE NATION is the #1 Sunday morning public affairs program,  delivering 3.45 million viewers (+8% from 3.19m last year) and a 0.6/03 with adults 25-54.

CBS THIS MORNING was the only network morning news broadcast to post year-to-year gains among viewers for the week ending Oct. 30. The broadcast delivered 3.35 million viewers (+11% from 3.02m a year ago) and a 0.8/07 with adults 25-54. CBS THIS MORNING closed the viewership gap with NBC by 740,000 viewers with ABC by 880,000 viewers. Season-to-date, CBS THIS MORNING is delivering 3.38 million viewers (+10% from 3.08m compared to last year) and even in adults 25-54 (0.8/07).

CBS SUNDAY MORNING was the #1 Sunday morning news broadcast with viewers and adults 25-54 on Nov. 1. The broadcast delivered 5.71 million viewers and a 1.1/05 with adults 25-54 (tied). Season-to-date, CBS SUNDAY MORNING is the #1 Sunday morning news program, delivering 5.34 million viewers and a 1.1/06 with adults 25-054.

48 HOURS at 10:00 PM on Oct. 31 delivered 4.40 million viewers and a 1.0/03 in adults 25-54. Season-to-date, 48 HOURS is Saturday’s #1 non-sports broadcast, delivering 5.37 million viewers and a 1.4/04 with adults 25-54.

CBS THIS MORNING: SATURDAY on Oct. 31 delivered 2.46 million viewers (+33% from 1.85m last year) and a 0.6/05 with adults 25-54 (+20% from 0.5/03 last year) to give CBS its best competitive position ever with a Saturday morning news broadcast against NBC in viewers and adults 25-54.  Season-to-date, CBS THIS MORNING: SATURDAY is delivering 2.17 million viewers (+10% from 1.97m) and even in adults 25-54 (0.5/04) compared to last season.

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Press Contact:

Richard Huff                212-975-3328                      HuffR@cbsnews.com