Average audience for local TV key time slots
Average number of TVs tuning to news programming during each time slot for ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC affiliates
YearMorning newsEvening newsLate night news
20162,885,5334,104,7694,206,819
20172,512,6543,875,8823,987,588
20182,261,4403,320,0313,413,721
20192,522,8313,570,9053,560,360
20202,412,1003,728,0383,704,095

Note: Numbers represent ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC affiliates for the full year and include live viewership only. “Average audience” is the average number of TVs tuned to an entity throughout the selected time frame, calculated by dividing the total hours viewed by the length of the time frame (in hours). “Local news” is defined as any telecast that has been flagged by Comscore (either by notification from clients or from standard processes) as being a news-based program airing on a local broadcast affiliate of ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox. The morning news time slot includes newscasts that air from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.; the evening news time slot is defined as early fringe by Comscore and includes newscasts that air from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.; the late night news time slot is defined as late fringe by Comscore and includes newscasts that air from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Source: Comscore StationView Essentials®, 2016-2020, U.S.

PEW RESEARCH CENTER