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George Stephanopoulos just made broadcast history. His show clinched #1 anchor status for the fourth consecutive week, dominating the Sunday morning news landscape. The numbers tell a stunning story of dominance unseen in nearly three decades.
🔥 Quick Facts
- March 1 Ratings: 3.066 million total viewers, up 15% week-to-week
- Adults 25-54 Demo: 457,000 viewers, surging 38% from previous week
- Competitive Edge: Outperformed NBC’s Meet the Press by 357,000 viewers
- 29-Year Dominance: Largest viewer lead over Meet the Press since 1996-1997 season
Stephanopoulos Commands the Sunday News Throne
Sunday, March 1, 2026, marked another victory for George Stephanopoulos and his powerhouse broadcast. This Week delivered 3.066 million total viewers and 457,000 adults in the key 25-54 demographic. The numbers reflect not just dominance but historic dominance.
The double-digit surge demonstrates audiences choosing This Week over competitors week after week. Each consecutive week strengthens Stephanopoulos‘ position as the anchor setting the tone for Sunday morning political discourse in America.
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Week-Over-Week Growth Shatters Expectations
This Week exploded with +15% growth in total viewers compared to the previous Sunday, jumping from 2.665 million to 3.066 million. The adults 25-54 demographic saw even more dramatic gains, rocketing +38% from 331,000 to 457,000 viewers.
This wasn’t just viewership growth. It represented a 5-week high in the crucial adult news demographic, marking the show’s 2nd-strongest broadcast of the entire season. Stephanopoulos and his team are clearly resonating with audiences demanding serious political analysis.
Competition Falls Far Behind
NBC’s Meet the Press finished second with 2.709 million viewers and 436,000 demo viewers. CBS Face the Nation (combining both airings) pulled 2.966 million total viewers. The margins matter. The 357,000-viewer advantage represents This Week’s largest margin over Meet the Press in over one year.
| Program | Total Viewers | Adults 25-54 |
| This Week | 3,066,000 | 457,000 |
| Meet the Press | 2,709,000 | 436,000 |
| Face the Nation (1 & 2) | 2,966,000 | 411,000 |
| Fox News Sunday | 1,244,000 | 294,000 |
“Season to date, This Week ranks No. 1 in Total Viewers, leading NBC’s Meet the Press and CBS’ Face the Nation, beating the NBC program by its largest overall viewer lead in 29 years since the 1996-1997 season.”
— ABC News Press Release, March 5, 2026
Stephanopoulos Delivers Iran Interview That America Watched
The March 1 episode featured George Stephanopoulos conducting an exclusive interview with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi following the joint U.S.-Israel attack on Iran. High-stakes, consequential journalism drives audiences to This Week. Stephanopoulos remains the anchor viewers trust for newsmaker interviews on the global stage.
The show combines newsmaker interviews, panel discussions, and field reporting that command attention. Viewers know This Week delivers conversations that matter, with George Stephanopoulos at the helm ensuring rigorous, substantive dialogue.
What Does This Historic Streak Mean for Sunday Morning News?
Four consecutive weeks at number one. A 29-year viewer lead over the closest competitor. The numbers suggest a fundamental shift in how Americans consume Sunday political programming. George Stephanopoulos‘ consistent, tough, fair approach resonates with audiences seeking clarity amid chaos.
Will This Week extend the streak to five weeks? Historic viewership like this doesn’t happen by accident. It reflects Stephanopoulos‘ credibility, the show’s editorial choices, and audiences voting with their remote controls every Sunday morning.
Watch the Latest Episode
Sources
- ABC News Press Release – Verified ratings data from Nielsen Media Research, March 5, 2026
- ABC.com – Official This Week broadcast portal with full episode archives
- Nielsen Media Research – Live+Same Day Big Data Plus Panel ratings methodology
