The economic uncertainty caused by President Donald Trump’s latest tariffs may have contributed to an increase in viewership for the three evening newscasts for the week of March 31.

ABC World News Tonight with David Muir and NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt recorded week-to-week gains in total viewers and the Adults 25-54 demo. On the other hand, CBS Evening News only saw positive movement in the demo and not among total viewers.

WNT remained the most-watched broadcast in both measured categories, stretching its total viewer lead over Nightly News to the largest in 30 years.

According to live-plus-same-day data from Nielsen, ABC World News Tonight averaged 7.587 million total viewers and 1.045 million A25-54 viewers compared to the previous week. That translates to saw gains of +2% in both measured categories. Looking at its performance alongside the same week in 2024 (the week of April 1), WNT was down -3% in total viewers and -5% in the demo.

NBC Nightly News landed in second place in total viewers and the demo, averaging 6.180 million viewers and 907,000 viewers, respectively. Week-to-week, the newscast ticked upwards by +5% in total viewers and saw double-digit gains of +11% in the A25-54 demo. Year-to-year, Nightly News was flat in total viewers, but up +3% in the demo—the only newscast to see positive growth in that particular measurement. 

CBS Evening News saw 3.927 million total viewers and 558,000 A25-54 viewers for a -2% dip in the former category and a +2% bump in the latter. Compared to 2024, the newscast declined by -18% in total viewers and -27% in the demo. 

Source: The Nielsen Company, NTI Total Viewers, Adults 25-54 and Adults 18-49 Live + SD Current Week (w/o 3/31/25), Previous Week (w/o 3/24/25) and Year-Ago Week (w/o 4/1/24). Most Current Data Stream: 2024-2025 Season (9/23/24 – 4/6/25) and 2023-2024 Season (9/25/23 – 4/7/24). Nielsen ratings for ABC, NBC and CBS include additional airings in select markets. Beginning 8/31/20, national ratings also include Out of Home (OOH) viewing. Averages based on regular telecasts.