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Good Morning America Tops Morning News Ratings: What’s Driving Its Rise in 2025

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by

Lucy
in

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Key Takeaways

  • Good Morning America (GMA) reclaimed the No. 1 spot in morning news ratings in July 2025 after nearly two years.
  • GMA outperformed NBC’s Today and CBS’s CBS Mornings across all major metrics, including total viewers and key demographics.
  • GMA led with an average of 2.625 million total viewers and 481,000 viewers in Adults 25-54, marking a significant ratings surge.
  • The show’s growth builds on a 20-week streak of leadership and a strengthened appeal among younger and middle-aged audiences.
  • Factors contributing to GMA’s rise include content diversity, charismatic hosts, strategic programming, and digital platform adaptation.

Table of Contents

A Major Ratings Swing in Morning News

Sustained Leadership Building Over Weeks

Historical Significance

What’s Behind GMA’s Ratings Surge?

Why It Matters

Looking Ahead

A Major Ratings Swing in Morning News

In the week of July 21, 2025, ABC’s Good Morning America outperformed NBC’s Today and CBS’s CBS Mornings across all major metrics — total viewers, Adults 25-54, and Adults 18-49 demographics[2][4].

Specifically, GMA averaged 2.625 million total viewers, beating Today by 328,000 viewers and leading the Adults 25-54 demographic with 481,000 viewers. This marked the first time since early August 2023 that GMA led in both total viewers and key demographics simultaneously[2][4].

Sustained Leadership Building Over Weeks

This victory was not a one-off. GMA had already maintained the top spot for 20 consecutive weeks by mid-July 2025, increasing its lead over Today by 13% year-over-year, and continuing to expand its advantage in key demographic groups[1][3].

This steady growth highlights GMA’s strengthening appeal among younger and middle-aged adults, a crucial demographic for advertisers.

Historical Significance

For over two decades, Good Morning America has dominated CBS Mornings, leading total viewers and Adults 25-54 weekly since January 1999[1]. The recent resurgence to surpass Today in all key metrics marks a new chapter in this rivalry, reflecting evolving viewer preferences and competitive dynamics.

What’s Behind GMA’s Ratings Surge?

  • Content and Format: Analysts suggest GMA’s mix of hard news, lifestyle, and celebrity features continues resonating, providing a versatile appeal across audiences.
  • Talent and Presentation: Charismatic hosts and fresh segments likely attracted younger viewers, boosting GMA’s Adults 18-49 demographic[1][2].
  • Strategic Programming: Timely coverage and digital platform adaptation enhance GMA’s reach beyond traditional TV ratings.

Why It Matters

Morning news shows are vital for networks, securing advertiser dollars linked to younger, affluent viewers. Good Morning America capturing this audience after trailing Today signals a shifting media landscape where viewer loyalty is dynamic.

For viewers, this means increased competition for quality and innovation in morning programming, potentially leading to richer content and stronger engagement.

Looking Ahead

With GMA’s continued growth and dominance in crucial viewer demos, the rivalry among morning shows is expected to heat up through 2025. Networks will closely monitor ratings trends for clues on shifting viewer priorities in news consumption, shaping future programming strategies.

FAQ

What has contributed to GMA’s rise in ratings in 2025?

Content diversity, charismatic hosts, strategic programming, and digital adaptation have played key roles in GMA’s recent ratings surge.

How long has GMA maintained dominance over CBS Mornings?

GMA has led over CBS Mornings for more than two decades, maintaining weekly dominance since January 1999[1].

What are the key demographics GMA is leading in 2025?

GMA leads in total viewers, Adults 25-54, and is gaining in Adults 18-49, indicating broad appeal across age groups.

Sources