The Broadcast Battle: How Sports Propelled NBC Ahead

CBS Executive's Candid Assessment of the Ratings Race

Paramount's head of television media, George Cheeks, graciously conceded that CBS would not secure the top spot as the most-watched broadcast network this year. He pointed to NBC's strategic programming during "Legendary February" as the decisive factor, which included extensive coverage of the Olympics and the Super Bowl, significantly boosting NBC's prime-time sports viewership by 82% year-over-year.

The Impact of "Legendary February" on NBC's Success

Cheeks congratulated his former colleagues at NBC, acknowledging that their concentrated effort in February—featuring the Super Bowl, Winter Olympics, and NBA All-Star Game—created an unparalleled viewership surge. This period, branded as "Legendary February," proved to be a game-changer in the season's overall ratings.

Current Viewership Landscape: A Look at the Numbers

According to recent Nielsen data, NBC is currently leading in total viewers with 6.1 million, followed by CBS at 4.5 million. ABC and Fox trail with 4.4 million and 3.7 million respectively. This data reflects the immediate impact of NBC's sports-heavy programming, temporarily shifting the traditional broadcast hierarchy.

CBS's Historical Dominance and Current Entertainment Strengths

While CBS has held the total viewers crown for much of the past two decades, including the 2024-2025 and 2023-2024 seasons, Cheeks highlighted the network's consistent performance despite having fewer regular prime-time NFL broadcasts compared to NBC's weekly "Sunday Night Football."

New Shows Driving CBS's Entertainment Performance

George Cheeks and CBS Entertainment president Amy Reisenbach continue to champion the network's strong entertainment lineup. New series like "Marshals" are on track to become the most-watched new show across both broadcast and streaming platforms. Other successes include "Sheriff Country," "Boston Blue," and "CIA," alongside popular comedies like "Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage" and "Ghosts," all contributing to CBS's robust prime-time figures.