CBS daytime going strong
In the weekday morning race, meanwhile, ABC's "Good Morning America" has topped NBC's "Today" show for 16 consecutive weeks, while "Nightline" has claimed its late night slot three weeks in a row.
CBS' daytime streak started back in March of 1989 and is the longest by any network. During the 208-week run, CBS has owned the top five and top 10 program lists and had an average 21% lead over nearest competitor ABC.
According to Nielsen, the CBS daytime schedule earned a 6.0 rating, 21 share for the week ending Feb. 26. ABC had a 5.3/18 and NBC a 3.3/11. During CBS' four years on top, the network has averaged a 5.7/22. ABC has averaged a 4.7/17 during that period and NBC a 3.5/13.
For the season to date, CBS is averaging a 5.7/21, ABC a 4.9/17 and NBC a 3.0 /11. However, while CBS is able to claim the household crown, ABC continues to lead in the viewing levels among the key 18-49 female demographic. ABC posted a 4.5 by that standard compared to CBS' 3.7 in that demo.
Weekday mornings "GMA" won with a 5.0/20 for the second straight week. NBC's "Today" had a 4.6/19 up slightly from last week's 4.4/18 share. "CBS This Morning" earned a 3.3/13, down from a 3.4/14 the week before. ABC has won 151 of the last 165 weeks, including 11 ties.
"Nightline" delivered a 5.8/16 in its half-hour compared to a 5.1/14 for "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno," which averaged a 4.3/13 overall. CBS' "Crime Time" arrested a 3.4/12, while "Late Night With David Letterman" saw its share drop slightly to a 2.6/12.
