Tuesday, October 14, 2025

American TV Institution Under Pressure

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The Network Evening News is in Flux

Introduction to the Crisis

For broadcast networks, the evening news broadcast is a cherished part of their legacies — having brought the likes of Walter Cronkite, Tom Brokaw and Peter Jennings into living rooms over the decades. But with pressures mounting on the traditional TV business, the American institution is in a period of flux.

The Changing Landscape of TV News

The traditional TV audience is a slow melting glacier, with network evening newscasts down nearly 1 million viewers in the 2024-25 season compared to the previous year, according to Nielsen. As a result, network news executives will be on edge this year, with two of the three broadcasts undergoing major overhauls. Next month, NBC will replace longtime “Nightly News” anchor Lester Holt with Tom Llamas, 45, who helms the streaming NBC News Now program “Top Story.” It will mark only the fourth change in the “Nightly” role since 1983.

Overhauls in Network News

This comes after “CBS Evening News” in January replaced Norah O’Donnell with a duo of John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois. Conceived by outgoing “60 Minutes” executive producer Bill Owens, the new “CBS Evening News” has aimed to do longer segments instead of the headline-driven style the broadcasts are known for. Although broadcast networks have largely ceded scripted TV shows to streaming, they are still protective of the news programs. Both NBC and CBS are trying to improve their competitive position against “ABC World News With David Muir,” which has its largest lead over the second-place peacock network in 30 years.

Maintaining Relevance in a Digital Age

Like other TV newscasts, evening programs are in a battle to maintain relevance amid competition from not only cable and streaming but also YouTube, which attracts older audiences as well as younger, digital-savvy viewers. “No one wants a tombstone that reads ‘Here lies the guy who killed the evening news,’” said Jonathan Wald, a veteran producer who worked with Brokaw on “NBC Nightly News.” Evening newscasts on ABC, CBS and NBC — all of which launched in the late 1940s — are among the few shows that still drive appointment viewing.

The Audience and Viewership

They’ve held up better than most TV network genres. Nielsen data show the programs are watched by an average of 18 million viewers a night and reach 71 million each month despite competition from 24-hour cable news and a barrage of platforms available digitally. There are many weeks throughout the year when Muir’s broadcast is the most watched program in all of TV, often averaging 8 million viewers.

Impact of Anchor Changes

So far, the audience isn’t buying the changes on “CBS Evening News.” The program has dropped below 4 million viewers in some weeks since its launch and occasionally gets topped by “Special Report With Bret Baier” on Fox News. NBC News executives believe Llamas can provide a fresh spark for “Nightly News.” They’re encouraged that he led in the 25-to-54 age group on recent nights when he filled in for Holt. “We think he’s exactly the right guy at this moment,” said Janelle Rodriguez, executive vice president of programming for NBC News. “He is someone who has worked at this literally since he was a kid.”

Profitability and Identity

Evening news broadcasts are still profitable businesses and have benefited from increased advertiser demand for audiences watching live TV. In 2024, ad spending on the three network evening newscasts, including the weekend editions, hit $669 million, according to measurement firm iSpot.tv, an increase of 12% over the previous year. The programs also still provide an identity for ABC, CBS and NBC. A recent study by research firm Magid found that 50% of consumers cite news as their top reason for watching a network TV affiliate.

The Challenge of Maintaining Relevance

Most of the people tuning in at 6:30 p.m. to watch are older viewers who likely grew up with the habit, as evidenced by the commercial breaks. The data from iSpot show around 46% of the ad dollars spent on the programs are for pharmaceutical products. Competitors have long taken shots at “World News,” calling it a shallow broadcast that delivers a lot of stories without much detail. ABC News executives counter that Muir has traveled around the world to do lengthier reports that are expanded into documentaries for Hulu.

The Future of Evening News

Viewers, who like Muir and the visual sizzle of “World News,” have made it No. 1 for nine consecutive years. “You can’t listen to the chattering classes,” said Wald. “The show is watchable and consistent. You know what you’re going to get.” Muir’s success has been rewarded. After sharing special coverage anchor duties with George Stephanopoulos, he is now the dominant face of ABC News. Muir’s former longtime executive producer, Almin Karamehmedovic, became president of the division last year.

Conclusion

The network evening news is at a crossroads, facing challenges from changing viewer habits, increased competition, and the need to adapt to a digital age. Despite these challenges, the evening news remains a vital part of American television, providing a sense of continuity and familiarity for audiences. As the industry continues to evolve, it will be important for network news executives to balance the need for change with the need to maintain the integrity and tradition of the evening news.

FAQs

  • Q: Why are network evening newscasts experiencing a decline in viewership?
    A: Network evening newscasts are experiencing a decline in viewership due to changing viewer habits, increased competition from cable and streaming services, and the rise of digital news sources.
  • Q: What changes are being made to the network evening newscasts?
    A: Changes are being made to the network evening newscasts, including anchor changes and format adjustments, in an effort to attract new viewers and maintain relevance in a changing media landscape.
  • Q: Are network evening newscasts still profitable?
    A: Yes, network evening newscasts are still profitable, with increased advertiser demand for audiences watching live TV and a strong identity for the networks.
  • Q: What is the future of the network evening news?
    A: The future of the network evening news is uncertain, but it will likely involve a continued evolution to adapt to changing viewer habits and technological advancements.
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