Overview
- Preliminary Nielsen same-day ratings for Q1 2026 show CBS Evening News averaging about 4.24 million viewers and roughly 532,000 adults 25–54, with CBS Mornings tracking near 1.74–1.76 million.
- The evening broadcast dipped below 4 million on some nights and averaged 3.83 million in the week of March 9, a low point during Tony Dokoupil’s first months as anchor.
- ABC’s World News Tonight led with about 8.61 million viewers and 1.07 million in the key demo, while NBC Nightly News rose to roughly 6.93 million and 1.04 million, helped by Winter Olympics coverage.
- Based on preliminary tallies, CBS Evening News is pacing toward its lowest first quarter of the 21st century and CBS Mornings toward record lows, with final figures subject to slight changes when the quarter closes.
- Weiss has told staff the goal is “audience share” across TV and streaming rather than pure linear ratings, a shift rolled out alongside layoffs of about 6% and the closure of CBS News Radio, as outside commentary splits over causes from a perceived Trump-friendlier tilt to claims network news itself is fading.