Last night's (5) debut of the CBS EVENING NEWS WITH KATIE COURIC finished number one in the metered-market average, according to Nielsen.


The broadcast garnered a 9.1/17 rating in those markets, making it the highest rated CBS EVENING NEWS broadcast since Feb. 23, 1998, which occurred during CBS's coverage of the Olympic Winter Games in Nagano.


The broadcast also more than doubled its recent metered-market average of 4.4/9, covering the past four weeks.


"We're encouraged by last night's numbers, but what's more important is what the audience will be six months and a year from now," said Sean McManus, President, CBS News and Sports. "Our primary focus remains on producing the highest quality broadcast night in and night out."


Final national ratings, as well as total viewers and demographic breakdowns, will be available this afternoon.