NBC News and MSNBC Beat its Competition on Election Night

NEW YORK – More Americans turned to NBC News and MSNBC combined for coverage of Decision Night in America than any other broadcast or cable television network. According to Nielsen Media Research data, the two networks averaged 17.1 million total viewers during primetime coverage of Election Night, including an average of 7.7 million viewers in the key news demographic of A25-54.

NBC led the broadcast networks across the board during its primetime coverage from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET. NBC averaged 11.2 million total viewers, outperforming ABC by 1.9 million (+21%) and CBS by 3.1 million (+38%). Among A25-54 viewers, NBC News averaged 5.3 million viewers, leading ABC by 1.5 million (+40%) and CBS by 2.2 million (+69%). In A18-49, NBC averaged 5.1 million, topping ABC by 1.6 million (+46%) and CBS by 2.1 million (+68%).

MSNBC’s “Election Night 2016” was the 3rd highest-ranking program in the network’s 20 year history with nearly 6 million total viewers. Compared to 2012, MSNBC’s Election Night programming was up +27% in total viewers. In A25-54, MSNBC’s primetime coverage was up +19% over 2012, averaging nearly 2.4 million viewers. The network’s live reporting from 11 p.m. ET to 12 a.m. ET marks the network’s 3rd highest-rated hour in network history among total viewers, with more than 6.8 million people tuning in.

“Morning Joe” grew by +49% in total viewers compared to 2012 and MSNBC’s dayside (9 a.m. ET to 5 p.m. ET) delivered a +43% increase in total viewers and +27% in A25-54 compared to 2012.

NBC News Digital saw 125 million video starts during Election Day on its owned properties, partners and across social media. It was also NBC News’s best day ever for on-site video starts.

Following Decision Night in America, NBC News is the most watched news organization of Election 2016. More Americans turned to NBC News and MSNBC combined for coverage of the Republican National Convention, Democratic National Convention, presidential and vice presidential debates, and Election Night. Among broadcast networks, NBC News swept Election 2016 primetime coverage in the news demo (note: NBC did not air the second presidential debate).

Election night coverage on the NBC broadcast network aired from 7 p.m. – 3:30 a.m. ET, led by “NBC Nightly News” anchor Lester Holt, “TODAY” co-host Savannah Guthrie, and “Meet the Press” moderator and NBC News political director Chuck Todd.  Holt, Guthrie, and Todd were joined by NBC News special correspondent Tom Brokaw, who has covered every presidential election since 1968.

MSNBC’s primetime political team kicked off at 6 p.m. ET on Election Night, with Rachel Maddow, Brian Williams, and Chris Matthews joined by the network’s deep bench of correspondents and contributors.

“NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt” expands to a full hour tonight on Wednesday, November 9.