Network evening news ratings continue to slide

For ABC and CBS, down meant all the way to another new low, this time for evening newscast ratings in the second quarter of a year (at least since the Nielsen company started using its current people meter system in 1987). It was the lowest second quarter for NBC since 2007.

In terms of competitive placement, NBC’s news dominance was unshaken – and barely stirred – from April through June. In the morning, the “Today” show ruled as ever; in the evening, Brian Williams maintained a strong edge. But in a world where mass erosion is the rule, NBC’s losses were marginally bigger than those for second-place ABC.