CBS Concedes Total Viewers Ratings Crown to NBC, Credits Sports

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Paramount Chair of TV Media George Cheeks Acknowledges NBC’s Success

George Cheeks, the Paramount Chair of TV Media, gracefully accepted defeat as CBS fell short of being the most-watched broadcast network for the year. Cheeks attributed this to NBC’s exceptional performance during what they dubbed as “Legendary February.”

During the unveiling of CBS’s fall schedule, Cheeks candidly admitted, “In full transparency, while this year is undeniably strong for CBS, CBS is not going to be number one in total viewers.” He went on to praise NBC’s “Legendary February,” which featured over 120 hours of Olympics and NFL coverage, leading to an 82% increase in primetime sports viewership year over year for the network.

Cheeks, a former co-chairman of NBC Entertainment, congratulated his former colleagues at NBC for their success during this period. NBC’s dominance in total viewership is evident, with Nielsen data showing them leading with 6.1 million viewers, followed by CBS (4.5 million), ABC (4.4 million), and Fox (3.7 million).

CBS had held the title of the most-watched network since the 2007-2008 TV season, with slight variations in rankings based on different metrics. Despite this setback, CBS continues to produce top-quality entertainment content, with shows like “Marshals” emerging as the most-watched new series of the year across broadcast and streaming platforms.

Additionally, CBS highlighted the success of other new series like “Sheriff Country,” “Boston Blue,” and “CIA,” which have resonated well with audiences. In the comedy genre, “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage” and “Ghosts” have garnered significant viewership, solidifying CBS’s position as a powerhouse in primetime programming.

While CBS may not have clinched the top spot in total viewership this year, their commitment to delivering compelling content remains unwavering. As the landscape of television continues to evolve, CBS’s strong lineup of shows ensures that they remain a force to be reckoned with in the industry.