TV Ratings: ‘60 Minutes’ Is Both Up and Down in Week 2

CBS News’ “60 Minutes” experienced a mixed performance in its second episode of Season 59. The newsmagazine improved its audience compared to the same episode from the previous season, with a reported increase of 5%. However, it faced a decline in viewership from its season premiere, which had benefited from a national NFL lead-in, a factor that significantly influenced its ratings. The second episode of “60 Minutes” was noted to have a lower audience than the premiere, indicating that while the show has made gains year-over-year, it struggled to maintain the momentum generated by its debut. The absence of a national NFL lead-in likely contributed to this week-to-week dip in viewership. The ratings dynamics suggest that the show's performance is closely tied to CBS' football programming, which can attract a larger audience and subsequently impact the ratings of the following programs. Overall, while “60 Minutes” has shown improvement compared to last season's second episode, the drop in viewers from the premiere highlights the challenges it faces in sustaining its audience without the support of major sporting events. This situation reflects the competitive landscape of television ratings, particularly for newsmagazines that rely on strategic scheduling and lead-ins to maximize viewership.