DRUDGE REPORT FLASH 2002�
'MEET THE PRESS WITH TIM RUSSERT'
HAS ITS BEST SWEEPS PERFORMANCE EVER IN TOTAL VIEWERS
ABC'S "THIS WEEK" HAS LOWEST FEBRUARY SWEEPS PERIOD IN 16 YEARS
Thu Feb 27 2003 17:39:53 ET
"Meet the Press'" Margin of Victory Grows from 48% to 66% More Viewers Over
CBS, and from 40% to a 92% Advantage Over ABC Compared to Last February's
Sweeps
Compared to the Same Period A Year Ago, "Meet the Press" is Up 16%, CBS is
Up 4%, while ABC is Down 15%
According to Nielsen Media Research data, "Meet the Press with Tim
Russert" was by far the dominate Sunday morning public affairs broadcast
during the February 2003 sweeps period, outperforming the competition in all
categories. During the February sweeps, "Meet the Press" averaged 5.681
million total viewers, a 66% advantage over second place CBS "Face the
Nation's" 3.419 million, and a staggering 92% lead over third place ABC
"This Week with George Stephanopoulos'" 2.962 million. "Meet the Press"
topped FOX "News Sunday's" 2.080 million by 173%. "Meet the Press" has now
placed first among total viewers for 22 straight sweeps. This represents
the NBC public affairs program's best sweep performance ever among total
viewers, and ABC's lowest rated February sweeps period in 16 years (since at
the start of people meters, 1987).
In homes, "Meet the Press" was also top-rated, posting a 4.3 rating
and a 12 share. CBS followed with a 2.6/7, ABC was third with a 2.2/6 and
FOX was last with a 1.5/4. The Russert-moderated broadcast has now placed
first in homes for 25 consecutive sweeps (including one tie).
Among the demographics women, men and adults 25-54, "Meet the Press"
was also No. 1 across the board during the February sweeps. Specifically
among younger viewers (adults 25-54), "Meet the Press" had a 2.0 rating, a
67% advantage over CBS' 1.2, a 100% lead over ABC's 1.0, and 150% more than
FOX's 0.8. The NBC program has now placed first among women 25-54 for 36
sweeps (including one tie), first among men 25-54 for 28 sweeps (including
two ties), and first among adults 25-54 for 42 consecutive sweeps (including
seven ties).
Comparing last February's sweep period to this year, "Meet the
Press'" margin of victory grew from 48% to 66% more viewers over CBS, and
from 40% to a 92% advantage over ABC. In addition, "Meet the Press" grew by
16% among total viewers, CBS increased 4%, ABC was down 15% and FOX was up
37% compared to the same time period a year ago.
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