During the week of August 18, CBS News increased its total viewership, while NBC’s Nightly News posted a notable uptick in the Adults 25-54 demographic. The ratings shift highlights both networks’ competitive efforts in a key broadcast period.
Week of August 18 Evening News Ratings: NBC and CBS Have Growth

Key Takeaways:
- CBS experienced a rise in total viewers.
- NBC’s Nightly News grew in the Adults 25-54 demographic.
- The ratings period covers the week of August 18.
- Adweek is the source of the data.
- These shifts underscore ongoing competition among network newscasts.
Introduction
The latest report on evening news ratings shows both CBS and NBC enjoying notable boosts during the week of August 18. Published by Adweek, this snapshot of network performance underscores the continuing intensity of broadcast competition.
CBS Gains in Total Viewers
CBS News recorded an increase in its overall audience. While precise numbers were not included in the public feed, leaders at the network will undoubtedly welcome any uptick in total viewers. The surge signals that this summer’s coverage and programming decisions may be resonating with a broader base.
NBC’s Demo Boost
Meanwhile, NBC’s Nightly News experienced growth in Adults 25-54—a prized demographic that advertisers and networks alike watch closely. This development suggests NBC’s coverage style and content strategy are translating into greater engagement among younger adults.
Broader Context
The week of August 18 ratings highlights each network’s ongoing efforts to expand viewership. In an era of streaming and endless media options, the battle for both overall audience share and key demographic groups remains central to broadcast news strategy. NBC and CBS have demonstrated that regional and demographic targeting can pay off.
Conclusion
With CBS gaining in total viewers and NBC improving in a critical demographic, the evening news landscape continues to shift. How these gains hold or evolve in the coming weeks will be a key storyline for the networks and their audiences, reinforcing the significance of reliable viewership data in guiding news programming decisions.