News Ratings: ABC’s World News with Charles Gibson Back on Top

NBC’s Nightly News with Brian Williams Finishes Second

By Marisa Guthrie -- Broadcasting & Cable, 10/30/2007 2:20:00 PM

ABC’s World News with Charles Gibson was back on top last week.

In a week marked by anchor travel at all three evening newscasts, World News averaged 8.95 million viewers and a 2.3 rating in the 25-54 demo, delivering its highest numbers in both categories since February.

NBC’s Nightly News with Brian Williams pulled 8.51 million viewers and a 2.1 in the demo, followed by CBS Evening News with Katie Couric (6.57 million viewers; 1.6 in the demo).

The week was marked by raging wildfires in Southern California. And all three anchors helmed their newscasts from the area Tuesday and Wednesday.

ABC and NBC have been flip-flopping in the evening news race the past few weeks, with Nightly News edging out World News the week before last in total viewers (8.2 million versus 8.1 million) and ABC edging out NBC in the demo (2.1 rating versus 2.0). Perhaps Williams' upcoming stint on NBC’s Saturday Night Live this weekend will give the anchor’s formerly No. 1 newscast a ratings shot in the arm.