The solar eclipse that captivated our nation on Apr. 8, for better or for worse, was extensively covered by the major networks. They had broadcast from the key areas where complete totality of the moon directly aligning in front of the sun was observed, from Dallas to Indianapolis to Niagara Falls to Vermont.
ABC, with David Muir and Linsey Davis anchoring from Burlington, Vermont, was the most-watched outlet in eclipse coverage among all key figures, according to Nielsen Media Research. From 2-4 PM ET on Apr. 8, ABC delivered 4.448 million total viewers including 920,000 within the key 25-54 demographic as well as 744,000 adults 18-49.
ABC News’ Eclipse Across America was also simulcast on the Disney-owned cable networks National Geographic Channel (271,000 Total Viewers, 76,000 Adults 25-54 and 69,000 Adults 18-49) and Nat Geo Wild (63,000 Total Viewers, 19,000 Adults 25-54 and 17,000 Adults 18-49).
The eclipse coverage helped National Geographic Channel more than doubled its own weekday performances of 2-4 PM ET from Apr. 1-5: Total Viewers +139%, Adults 25-54 +192%, and Adults 18-49 +237%.
CBS, with Norah O’Donnell and Tony Dokoupil anchoring from Indianapolis, was runner-up among total viewers (2.705 million) while NBC (2.406 million total viewers) – with Lester Holt also in Indianapolis, as well as Al Roker in Dallas – was runner-up among key demos (483,000 adults 25-54; 368,000 adults 18-49).
CBS posted 447,000 adults 25-54 and 339,000 adults 18-49.
On cable news, Fox News Channel was the total viewer leader for the solar eclipse and CNN led in all key demos. As indicated in the network breakdown below, CNN attracted the most added raw viewership and demos (nearly quadrupling its 25-54 and 18-49) compared to the aforementioned Monday through Friday 2-4 p.m. period from Apr. 1-5:
Fox News Channel
- Total Viewers: 2.264 million (+829,000; +58%)
- Adults 25-54: 230,000 (+73,000; +47%)
- Adults 18-49: 155,000 (+54,000; +54%)
CNN
- Total Viewers: 1.643 million (+1,046,000; +175%)
- Adults 25-54: 332,000 (+246,000; +286%)
- Adults 18-49: 221,000 (+163,000; +283%)
MSNBC (compared to Apr. 1-5 @ 1-4 p.m.)
- Total Viewers: 0.916 million (+120,000; +15%)
- Adults 25-54: 121,000 (+41,000; +51%)
- Adults 18-49: 81,000 (+31,000; +62%)
