‘Nightline’ benefits from strike

ABC’s “Nightline” got a lift from the writers strike in November, pulling past its benched competition, CBS’ “Late Show With David Letterman,” in ratings sweeps for the first time in seven years.

The newsmagazine drew an average of 3.8 million viewers for the month, up 7% from November 2006, while 3.7 million people tuned into “Letterman” repeats, a drop of 18%, according to Nielsen Media Research. “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno” -- also in reruns because of the strike -- held onto its top-ranked spot for the month but attracted just over 4 million viewers, a drop of 32% compared with November 2006.

But perhaps even more significant were “Nightline’s” ratings last week, when the newsmagazine averaged 4 million viewers, 4% more than the same week a year ago, beating both of its late-night competitors. “The Tonight Show” pulled in 3.5 million, a drop of 43%, while “Late Show” attracted just 3 million, down 30%. It was the ABC newscast’s best performance since the week of Nov. 21, 2005, when former anchor Ted Koppel concluded his run on the program.

-- Matea Gold