Good Morning America Widens Lead Over Today and CBS Mornings in April Ratings Surge

Key facts

• GMA averaged 2.924 million total viewers for the week of April 20, 2026.
• GMA's adults 18-49 audience rose 31% year-over-year to 376,000.
• GMA beat Today by 89,000 total viewers on Friday, April 24.
• GMA has led CBS Mornings in total viewers and adults 25-54 for 1,423 consecutive weeks.
• GMA3 averaged 1.341 million total viewers, beating NBC News Daily in total viewers and women 18-49.
• GMA3 is ahead of NBC News Daily season-to-date by 6% in total viewers and 12% in women 18-49.

GMA's Broad Gains Across Key Demographics

Good Morning America delivered its strongest performance among adults 18-49 in two years during the week of April 20, 2026.+Same Day Big Data Plus Panel Program Ratings. The ABC morning show averaged 2.924 million total viewers, 508,000 adults 25-54, and 376,000 adults 18-49 for the week. Compared to the previous week, GMA grew 1% in total viewers, 5% in adults 25-54, and 9% in adults 18-49. Year-over-year, the program saw even sharper increases: total viewers rose 4%, adults 25-54 climbed 6%, and adults 18-49 surged 31% from 288,000 in the same week of 2025. The adults 18-49 figure of 376,000 marked the show's best performance since the week of April 22, 2024.

Friday Victory Over Today and Historic Streak Against CBS Mornings

On Friday, April 24, GMA ranked first in total viewers, outpacing NBC's Today by 89,000 viewers — 2.957 million versus 2.868 million. GMA also narrowed its gap with Today from the prior week in adults 25-54 (down 10% to a 131,000 deficit) and adults 18-49 (down 23% to a 41,000 deficit). Against CBS Mornings, GMA maintained a commanding lead: 2.924 million total viewers to 1.756 million, 508,000 adults 25-54 to 310,000, and 376,000 adults 18-49 to 212,000. GMA has now led CBS Mornings in total viewers and adults 25-54 for 1,423 consecutive weeks, a streak dating to the week of January 18, 1999.

GMA3 Also Outperforms NBC News Daily

The afternoon companion program GMA3 averaged 1.341 million total viewers, 117,000 women 25-54, and 95,000 women 18-49 during the same week. It beat NBC News Daily in total viewers and women 18-49. Week-over-week, GMA3 total viewership increased 1% from 1.326 million. Season-to-date, GMA3 is outperforming NBC News Daily by 6% in total viewers (1.448 million versus 1.370 million) and 12% in women 18-49 (101,000 versus 90,000). This marks the fourth consecutive season GMA3 has led in those measures.

Nielsen Methodology and Anchor Team

The ratings are based on Nielsen's National Live+Same Day Big Data Plus Panel Program Ratings, which incorporate out-of-home viewing starting August 31, 2020. Season averages have used the Big Data Plus Panel since the 2023-2024 season, and beginning December 26, 2022, all averages rely on that panel. Good Morning America airs live weekdays from 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. ET on ABC, anchored by Robin Roberts, George Stephanopoulos, Michael Strahan, and chief meteorologist Ginger Zee. Simone Swink serves as senior executive producer. GMA3, an Emmy-nominated one-hour program, airs at 1:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. CT, also under Swink's leadership.

Implications for the Morning News Landscape

GMA's across-the-board gains, particularly the 31% jump in adults 18-49, suggest the program is successfully attracting younger viewers at a time when linear television faces audience fragmentation. The sustained dominance over CBS Mornings — now spanning more than 27 years — underscores the difficulty competitors face in eroding ABC's morning news franchise. Today, while still competitive in the adults 25-54 and 18-49 demos, saw its lead over GMA shrink week-over-week, and lost the Friday total-viewer battle. CBS Mornings remains a distant third, with roughly 60% of GMA's total audience.

Outlook for the Remainder of the Season

With the 2025-2026 season well underway, GMA's momentum positions it to extend its winning streak. The show's ability to grow year-over-year in all key metrics, especially among younger adults, may pressure rivals to adjust programming or promotional strategies. GMA3's consistent season-to-date lead over NBC News Daily suggests the ABC afternoon slot is also solidifying its audience. Whether the other networks can close the gap in the coming months remains an open question.

The bottom line

• GMA achieved its best adults 18-49 rating in two years, with a 31% year-over-year increase.
• The show beat Today in total viewers on Friday and narrowed demographic gaps.
• GMA has led CBS Mornings in total viewers and adults 25-54 for 1,423 consecutive weeks.
• GMA3 leads NBC News Daily season-to-date in total viewers and women 18-49 for the fourth straight season.
• Nielsen ratings include out-of-home viewing and are based on the Big Data Plus Panel since late 2022.