CBS' 'Evening News' Ratings Stay Flat After Katie Couric Leaves

Scott Pelley took the anchor seat at the CBS Evening News with little fanfare – especially compared to the hoopla that greeted his predecessor’s debut. And that understated approach is perhaps reflected in the broadcast’s first-week ratings.

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Pelley averaged 5.7 million viewers last week, matching Katie Couric’s final month at the CBS Evening News.

But compared to the same week last year, Pelley's broadcast was up 6 percent in total viewers and flat in the 25-54 demographic, averaging 1.3 million.

He was also up week-to-week in total viewers (4 percent) and the demo (8 percent) when interim anchor Harry Smith was filling in.

Pelley’s first broadcast June 6 garnered 6.1 million viewers, the high point during a slow news week.

ABC’s World News – which was impacted by NBA finals on Tuesday and Thursday – averaged 7 million viewers with 1.5 million in the demo; Diane Sawyer anchored the broadcast from Afghanistan on Monday.

NBC’s Nightly News won the week with 8.2 million viewers and 1.9 million in the demo; Brian Williams was off Tuesday through Friday and the broadcast was impacted by NHL Stanley Cup finals on Friday.