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[09/24/09 - 11:52 AM]
Nightline Places First for the 3rd Quarter in Total Viewers
ABC spins the late-night numbers for the third quarter of 2009.
[via press release from ABC]

Ratings Report for ABC News' "Nightline" For the 3rd Quarter & For the 2008/ 2009 Season

"NIGHTLINE" PLACES FIRST FOR THE 3rd QUARTER IN TOTAL VIEWERS

FIRST TIME IN 14 YEARS "NIGHTLINE" PLACES FIRST IN TOTAL VIEWERS FOR A 3rd QUARTER

FOR THE 2008/ 09 SEASON, "NIGHTLINE" PLACES SECOND IN TOTAL VIEWERS AND A25-54, MARKING THE FIRST TIME THE PROGRAM BEAT CBS AMONG A25-54 SINCE THE 1999/2000 SEASON

"Nightline" placed first for the just completed 3rd quarter among Total Viewers, beating CBS' "Late Show with David Letterman" and NBC's "The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien" according to Nielsen Media Research. This marks the first time since 1995 "Nightline" outperformed CBS and NBC among Total Viewers. It also marks "Nightline's" best total viwer delivery for a 3rd quarter since 2003. Compared to 3rd quarter 2008, "Nightline" grew +16% among Total Viewers, while "Tonight" declined -38%. "Nightline" also narrowed the A25-54 gap with "Tonight" by 71% vs 3rd quarter 2008. Among Adults 18-49, "Nightline" was the only show to grow against its competition vs 3rd quarter 2008.

For the 2008/ 2009 season, "Nightline" placed second among Total Viewers and Adults 25-54. The last time "Nightline" beat "Letterman" for a season among A25-54 was 1999/2000; the last time "Nightline" outperformed CBS for a season among Total Viewers was 2002/2003. Additionally, "Nightline" closed the total viewing gap with "Tonight" by 39% vs the 07/08 season, marking the smallest total viewing gap between the two programs since 1998/1999. It also marks the smallest demo gap between "Nightline" and "Tonight" since 1994/1995. Among Adults 18-49, "Nightline" grew the most against its competition (5%) vs the 2007/2008 season.

ABC News' "Nightline" is anchored by Cynthia McFadden, Terry Moran and Martin Bashir. John Donvan and Vicki Mabrey are correspondents. James Goldston is the executive producer. The program airs weeknights at 11:35 p.m., ET on the ABC Television Network.

(Average for 3rd Quarter) TOTAL VIEWERS A25-54 (000)/ Rtg

ABC "Nightline" 3,560,000 1,410,000/ 1.1

CBS "Late Show" 3,340,000 1,310,000/ 1.1

NBC "Tonight" 2,880,000 1,570,000/ 1.3

(Average for 08/09 Season) TOTAL VIEWERS A25-54 (000)/ Rtg

ABC "Nightline" 3,760,000 1,610,000/ 1.3

CBS "Late Show" 3,680,000 1,580,000/ 1.3

NBC "Tonight" 4,650,000 2,090,000/ 1.7

Source: NTI - A25-54, Adults 18-49 & Total Viewers � 3Q: Live +7 (where available) & Live +SD for 6/29/09-9/20/09 vs. 6/30/08-9/21/08. 08-09 Season: Live +7 (where available) & Live +SD for 9/22/08-9/20/09 vs. 9/24/07-9/21/08





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