Year Viewership
2007 29,325,000
2008 28,399,000
2009* 27,020,000
2010 25,296,000
2011 26,062,000
2012 24,226,000
2013 24,252,000
2014 23,902,000
2015 22,815,000

* In 2009, local television audiences were measured in March rather than February because of the scheduled transition to digital television. Therefore, the 2009 average includes March instead of the traditional February sweep.
Note: Numbers represent ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC affiliates for the four sweeps – February, May, July and November.
Source: Pew Research Center analysis of Nielsen Media Research, used under license.
“State of the News Media 2016”