Press release - Ratings
June 25, 2025
ABC News Primetime Special ‘Karen Read: The Verdict - A Special Edition of 20/20’ Ranks #1 Across All of Broadcast and Cable in Adults 18-49
The Primetime Special Outdelivers NBC and CBS by Double Digits and Beats Prior 4-Week Averages in Adults 25-54 and Adults 18-49
‘Karen Read: The Verdict’ Outperforms NBC’s ‘Dateline: Karen Read Special’ Across the Board in Total Viewers (+3%), Adults 18-49 (+79%) and Adults 25-54 (+31%)
Exploring a case that has transfixed the nation, ABC News’ “Karen Read: The Verdict – A Special Edition of 20/20” (Wednesday, June 18, 8:00-10:00 p.m. EDT), ranked No. 1 among all of broadcast and cable programs in primetime in Adults 18-49 (397,000), based on Live+Same Day from Nielsen Media Research (non-sports).
- Versus the competition in the time period, “Karen Read: The Verdict” outperformed NBC by +70% in Adults 18-49(397,000 vs. 233,000) and +34% in Adults 25-54 (523,000 vs. 390,000).
- The special also led CBS by double digits including +62% Adults 18-49 (397,000 vs. 245,000) and +43% in Adults 25-54 (523,000 vs. 366,000).
- Up against originals on FOX, “Karen Read: The Verdict” led by +20% in Adults 18-49 (397,000 vs. 332,000) and +6% in Adults 25-54 (523,000 vs. 492,000).
- In addition, “Karen Read: The Verdict” improved on the prior 4-week time period by +6% in Adults 18-49 (397,000 vs. 375,000) and +5% in Adults 25-54 (523,000 vs. 499,000).
- “Karen Read: The Verdict” also outdelivered NBC’s “Dateline: Karen Read Special” (on 6/19/25) by +3% in Total Viewers (2.034 million vs. 1.968 million), +79% in Adults 18-49 (397,000 vs. 222,000) and +31% in Adults 25-54 (523,000 vs. 400,000).
- “Karen Read: The Verdict” placed No. 1 based on views among all titles on Hulu on Thursday (6/19), Friday (6/20) and Saturday (6/21).
Janice Johnston is the executive producer of “20/20.”
Source: Nielsen, Live+Same Day Program Ratings for 6/18/25, or as dated. Prior four-week time period average (5/14/25 – 6/4/25, excludes NBA Finals Game 3 on 6/11/25).
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ABC News Media Relations
Van Scott
van.scott@abc.com
Lauri Hogan
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