'Today' is the No. 1 Morning Program Topping 'GMA' by 663K

Ratings of 'Today' over 'GMA' increased in total views, homes and key demos versus the same week last season.

nbcnews.com - October 17, 2008

(PRNewsChannel) / New York, N.Y. / NBC News' "Today" continues as the dominant morning news program topping the competition in all categories. For the week ending October 12, "Today" was No. 1 with more than 4.9 million total viewers – 663K (16 percent) lead over GMA, and a 2.3 million (85 percent) lead over "The Early Show." "Today's" advantage over GMA increased in homes, total viewers, W/M/A18-49, and M25-54 versus the same week last season. This week's win marks "Today's" 670th consecutive week in first place.

For the week, "Today" led with a 3.7 household rating/14 share and more than 4.91 million viewers. "GMA" trailed by large margins with a 3.2/12 and 4.25 million viewers. CBS' "The Early Show" remained far behind in third place, with a 2.0/7 and 2.66 million viewers.

In rating A25-54, "Today" led GMA by 20 percent (3 tenths) and beat the "Early Show" by 100 percent (9 tenths). In rating A18-49, "Today" outperformed GMA by 27 percent (3 tenths) and Early Show by 100 percent (7 tenths).

"Today II" posted a 2.2/9 in homes and 2.9 million viewers. It continues to top "CBS Early Show" in total viewers, homes and key demos. "Today II" had its best rating W18-49 since the week of August 25, 2008.

For the week, "Today III" delivered a 1.3/5 in homes and 1.7 million viewers. Compared to the same week last year, "Today III" increased in total viewers (+3% or +45,000), rating W/A18-49 (+17%/+25%), and rating W/A25-54 (+14%/+20%). "Today III" has increased its total viewer audience for three consecutive weeks.

Jim Bell is the executive producer of "Today" (Monday - Friday, 7-11 a.m.).

Members of the media can get more information about NBC Universal and its programming on the NBC Universal Media Village Web site at www.nbcumv.com.

Media Contact:
Megan Kopf
Manager - Communications Department
Phone: (201) 583-5013, (212) 664-6205
Fax: (201) 583-5179
Email:

This press release was sent by the press release distribution service PRNewsChannel, the Official Newswire of the Inc. 500|5000 Conference.