ABC’s "Good Morning America" (GMA) capitalized on the slight softening of NBC’s numbers, posting a strong performance that saw it average 2.742 million total viewers. This represented a 1% increase over the prior week, a modest but meaningful gain in a market where audience retention is a constant struggle. More impressively, GMA saw a 7% surge in the Adults 25-54 demographic, reaching an average of 488,000 viewers. This growth in the "money demo" is a vital sign for the network, indicating that its content and presentation are resonating effectively with younger and middle-aged audiences.
When compared to its performance during the same week in 2025, "Good Morning America" showed stability and slight growth. The program was up 2% in total viewers year-over-year, while its performance in the 25-54 demographic remained flat. This consistency underscores GMA’s role as a reliable pillar of the ABC News lineup, maintaining its audience even as the broader media environment becomes increasingly fragmented. The 92,000-viewer gap between GMA and "Today" is one of the closest margins seen in recent months, setting the stage for a high-stakes battle for morning supremacy as the networks head deeper into the fourth quarter.
At CBS, the story of the week was defined by the return of a familiar face. "CBS Mornings" averaged 1.64 million total viewers, a 2% increase from the previous week. This uptick coincided with the return of Norah O’Donnell, whose presence has historically been a draw for the network’s audience. The increase in total viewers suggests that curious or loyal viewers tuned in to see O’Donnell back in the anchor chair. However, this gain in raw numbers did not translate to the demographic measurement. In the Adults 25-54 category, "CBS Mornings" averaged 247,000 viewers, which marked a 9% decline compared to the previous week.
The year-over-year data for CBS presents a more challenging narrative. Compared to the same week in 2025, "CBS Mornings" was down 10% in total viewers and experienced a significant 21% drop in the 25-54 demographic. These declines highlight the difficulties CBS faces in a morning slot that has long been dominated by the two-way race between NBC and ABC. While CBS has often positioned its morning program as a more news-heavy, serious alternative to the infotainment-leaning styles of its competitors, the current ratings suggest that the network is struggling to retain its share of the audience in a rapidly evolving market.
