How the Major News Outlets Performed in 2024

It’s no secret that 2024 saw broadcast, cable, and streaming news outlets struggle to attract a viewing audience with a significant disinterest in the news. That reality was made especially stark by presidential election that saw a 25% ratings decline from the 2020 election cycle across 18 networks. 

Still, despite changing consumption habits and all the changes happening within the industry, those outlets remained a go-to source for a large segment of the viewing audience. 

Here are the 2024 news network ratings highlights according to Nielsen Media Research. (All times Eastern.)

ABC News

Over 67 million viewers tuned in for the ABC News Presidential Debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and President-elect Donald Trump, with 19 million total viewers watching on ABC alone. It was the most-watched debate on any network in 16 years, and ABC News ranked No. 1 among broadcast and cable news outlets across the board.

ABC News was also the No. 1  broadcast network across all key demos on Election Night.

Meanwhile, Good Morning America enjoyed its best month in January, when it averaged 2.97 million total viewers. The morning show also saw its best week during that month, when it attracted 3.12 million total viewers for the week of Jan. 15. The morning show’s single best day of 2024 was on Jan. 9  with 3.32 million total viewers.

January was also the best month for World News Tonight with David Muir, America’s most-watched evening broadcast. The newscast saw 8.75 million total viewers that month, recorded its best week the week of Jan. 15 with 8.77 million total viewers. WNT’s best day was Jan 16 when it had 9.17 million total viewers.

On the streaming side, September proved to be ABC News Live’s best month, while its best week was the Nov. 3—the week of the election—and its best day was Sept. 10 when ABC News hosted its presidential debate in Philadelphia.

Other 2024 highlights for ABC News included its Eclipse Across America coverage on April 8, which was the No. 1 telecast on daytime across all demos with 4.448 million total viewers and 920,000 viewers in the advertiser-coveted Adults 25-54 demo. Additionally, George Stephanopoulos’ interview with President Joe Biden following the CNN Presidential Debate took the top spot in its timeslot with 8.57 million total viewers.