This Week Experiences Most Total Viewing Growth Year-To-Year

According to Nielsen Media Research, ABC News “This Week with George Stephanopoulos” on Sunday, December 27, experienced the most year-to-year total viewing growth versus the other Sunday shows.  Posting 2.78 million total viewers, “This Week” grew +5% vs. the same week last year, while NBC’s “Meet the Press,” in comparison, declined -17%.  Furthermore, the week of December 21st marks the 42nd week in 2009 (not including the weeks when “This Week was number one), “This Week” closed the total viewing gap with “Meet” versus the same week last year.  “This Week” cut into “Meet’s” lead by 58% (590,000 in 2009 vs. 1,420,000 in 2008).  Among the key Adults 25-54 demographic, ABC closed the gap with NBC by 72% (120,000 in 2009 vs. 430,000 in 2008) year-to-year.

For the year, “This Week” ended 2009 having cut into “Meet’s” total viewing lead by 63% (490,000 in 2009 vs. 1,330,000 in 2008).  Among Adults 25-54, ABC narrowed the gap by 59% (190,000 in 2009 vs. 460,000 in 2008). 

“This Week” completed the Fourth Quarter 2009 in 2nd place, outperforming CBS’ “Face the Nation” for the 10th consecutive quarter among Total Viewers and for 7th of the last nine quarters in the demo.  Versus 4Q 2008, “This Week” cut the total viewing gap with “Meet” by 74% (330,000 in 4Q09 vs. 1,270,000 in 4Q08) and the demo gap by 77% (110,000 in 4Q09 vs. 470,000 in 4Q08).

Jake Tapper, who filled in for George Stephanopoulos on Sunday, December 27, interviewed Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs.   The roundtable featured David Brooks, Matthew Dowd, Paul Krugman and Ruth Marcus.

George Stephanopoulos is the anchor of “This Week” and Ian Cameron is the executive producer. The program airs Sundays on the ABC Television Network.