Summary (tl;dr)

Broadcast television networks ABC, NBC, and CBS are trending as their July 2026 viewership ratings are being released and analyzed, revealing key performances during a typically slower summer month.

Essential Background

Television ratings are a vital metric for broadcasters, directly impacting advertising revenue and programming decisions. Historically, July has been considered a less significant "sweeps" month for major networks due to many flagship shows being on hiatus, making any strong or surprising viewership figures particularly noteworthy.

The Full Story

Current reports from July 2026 highlight the performance of ABC, NBC, and CBS in their July ratings. ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" notably led late-night viewership for the week of June 28, 2026, surpassing NBC's "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" despite airing repeat episodes. Furthermore, ABC achieved a significant ratings win on July 4th with its "Disney Celebrates America: Nashville's Star-Spangled Bash," which drew 5.44 million viewers. This performance outranked NBC's annual fireworks special and marked ABC's highest-rated Fourth of July primetime event since 2000. CBS's late-night block, featuring "Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen" and "Funny You Should Ask," also saw its ratings during this period. Concurrently, other networks like FOX benefited from major sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup, which garnered substantial viewership.

Why It Matters

These July ratings are significant because they offer insights into audience engagement during a period traditionally known for lighter programming and reruns. Strong performances, even in the summer, can bolster a network's position, influence future advertising rates, and inform decisions about upcoming show renewals and development. This is particularly crucial as traditional broadcast television continues to compete with the growing viewership of streaming services, which achieved a record 41.4% share of TV viewership in the U.S. in July 2024.

Geographic Location

• Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee, United States (location of ABC's "Star-Spangled Bash" broadcast event)
• New York, New York County, New York, United States (headquarters of ABC, NBC, and CBS networks where programming decisions are made and ratings are analyzed)
• Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States (major hub for TV production and network operations for ABC, NBC, and CBS)