In the final week of March, U.S. television news ratings saw big moves, with CBS and NBC recording gains in viewership.
Despite these increases, ABC managed to maintain its lead. The data for the week of March 30 shows just how tight the competition has gotten among the three major networks, especially at a time when international developments, including tensions involving Iran, were dominating headlines.
During this week, “ABC World News Tonight” attracted the largest audience. The program averaged 8.598 million total viewers, including 1.071 million adults aged 25–54.
Compared to the previous week, total viewership remained steady while the key demographic dipped slightly by 1%. However, when compared to the same period in 2025, the broadcast showed significant growth, with total viewers up 13% and the adults 25–54 demographic increasing by 2%. These numbers show the show’s still got staying power.
“NBC Nightly News” wasn’t far behind, putting up a close fight with ABC. The program drew an average of 6.703 million total viewers, including 1.046 million in the 25–54 age group. Notably, NBC trailed ABC by just 25,000 viewers in the key demographic, marking one of the narrowest gaps in recent weeks. Compared to the prior week, NBC saw a 6% increase in total viewers and a 13% rise in the key demo.
Year over year, the program was also up 8% in total viewers and 15% in the adults 25–54 category — and the growth has been steady.
Although it finished in third place, “CBS Evening News” had a solid week. The program averaged 4.149 million total viewers, including 571,000 in the key demographic. Compared to the previous week, CBS saw a 6% increase in total viewers and a striking 28% jump in the 25–54 demographic — no other network came close to that kind of jump.
When compared to the same week in 2025, CBS also recorded gains of 6% in total viewers and 2% in the adult demo.
The most significant moment of the week came on Wednesday, April 1, when Donald Trump delivered a primetime address regarding the Iran war. During this special broadcast, CBS emerged as the ratings leader. The network drew 4.914 million total viewers and 1.343 million adults in the key demographic, outperforming both ABC and NBC during that time slot.
This marked a major win for CBS, particularly during a high-interest global news event.
During the same time period, ABC brought in 3.473 million total viewers and 803,000 adults in the key demographic, while NBC attracted 4.419 million total viewers and 860,000 in the adults 25–54 group. These figures prove how fast viewers move when a big story breaks, intensifying the competition among networks.
Overall, the week proved to be highly competitive for the U.S. television news industry. ABC maintained its lead, NBC significantly narrowed the gap, and CBS came in hot — particularly during key moments, showing that it isn’t going anywhere — and the other two know it.
