World News Tonight experienced a significant ratings boost on Monday, attracting 7.38 million viewers, a gain of over 500,000 from the previous week. This surge occurred amidst a wave of criticism from right-leaning media outlets and figures concerning the program’s coverage of the recent presidential debate.
The ABC broadcast, helmed by David Muir, surpassed its competitors, NBC Nightly News (6.28 million) and CBS Evening News (4.78 million). It marked the largest Monday audience for World News Tonight since late July and also led in the crucial adults 25-54 demographic with 1.26 million viewers.
Following the debate between President Biden and Donald Trump, Muir observed Trump’s dominance and relative discipline. He characterized the debate as “feisty, but not clarifying” and also provided fact-checking of some of Trump’s statements.
These actions triggered backlash from right-leaning sources, questioning Muir’s objectivity. Some outlets argued that Muir was too hasty in fact-checking Trump, while others criticized his general demeanor during the broadcast.
Despite the criticism, or perhaps because of it, World News Tonight witnessed a notable increase in viewership. This suggests that the controversy surrounding the debate coverage may have ironically drawn more viewers to the program, highlighting the complex relationship between media scrutiny and audience engagement. Finishtit
