Full Breakdown
Evening News Ratings: NBC Nightly News Leads Amid Olympic Coverage
2/27/2026, 3:01:44 AM
Overview of Ratings Performance
During the week of February 9 to 13, 2026, NBC Nightly News, anchored by Tom Llamas, experienced a significant ratings boost, primarily attributed to its coverage of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics. The broadcast averaged 7.797 million total viewers and 1.24 million in the coveted Adults 25-54 demographic, marking an increase of 8% in total viewers and 13% in the key demo compared to the previous week. This performance made NBC Nightly News the only evening news program to show gains across both categories.
In contrast, ABC World News Tonight, hosted by David Muir, averaged 8.657 million total viewers but saw a decline of 4% in total viewers and a drop of 28% in the 25-54 demo. CBS Evening News, with Tony Dokoupil at the helm, struggled significantly, attracting only 4.163 million total viewers and 458,000 in the key demo, down 9% and 21% respectively from the prior week.
Detailed Ratings Breakdown
The ratings for the week of February 9, 2026, are as follows:
- ABC World News Tonight: 8,657,000 total viewers; 1,105,000 in Adults 25-54
- NBC Nightly News: 7,797,000 total viewers; 1,240,000 in Adults 25-54
- CBS Evening News: 4,163,000 total viewers; 458,000 in Adults 25-54
These figures indicate that while NBC Nightly News capitalized on Olympic viewership, CBS Evening News continued to face challenges under Dokoupil's leadership, which began in January 2026.
Context of CBS Evening News' Struggles
CBS Evening News has been under scrutiny since Tony Dokoupil took over as anchor, replacing John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois. The program's ratings have consistently lagged behind its competitors, with a year-over-year decline of 7% in total viewers and a staggering 28% drop in the key demographic. The ratings for CBS were based on only four days of broadcasts, as the Friday show was retitled and excluded from averages.
Criticism & Opposition
Critics of CBS Evening News have pointed to the network's leadership changes and the challenges of maintaining viewer interest in a competitive landscape dominated by NBC and ABC. The decline in ratings has raised questions about the effectiveness of the new editorial direction under Bari Weiss, CBS's editor-in-chief.
Official Statements & Responses
CBS has not publicly commented on the specific ratings challenges faced by CBS Evening News. However, the network's leadership is likely monitoring the situation closely as they assess the impact of recent changes.
What's Next for Evening News Programs
As NBC continues to leverage its Olympic coverage for ratings gains, CBS Evening News will need to implement strategies to regain viewer trust and interest. Upcoming broadcasts will be critical for Dokoupil as he seeks to reverse the downward trend and establish a stronger foothold in the evening news landscape.
In summary, the ratings for the week of February 9 to 13, 2026, highlight the competitive nature of evening news broadcasts, with NBC Nightly News leading the pack while CBS Evening News faces ongoing challenges.
