CBS's FACE THE NATION Delivers Largest Audience in At Least 28 Years

CBS News' FACE THE NATION finished the 2015-2016 television season with its largest audience in at least 28 years and as the #1 Sunday morning public affairs program for the fourth consecutive year, according to Nielsen most current ratings. In John Dickerson's first season as anchor, FACE THE NATION delivered 3.75 million viewers (up +9%, from 3.43m) compared to last season.

In the May 2016 sweep, FACE THE NATION was #1 in viewers. The broadcast posted its largest May Sweep audience since the 1987 advent of people meters. FACE THE NATION delivered 3.65 million viewers (up +13%, from 3.24m) and 0.8/04 in adults 25-54 (up +14%, from 0.7/04) compared to last May, according to Nielsen live plus same day ratings. FACE THE NATION posted its best May adults 25-54 delivery since 2007.

And on May 22, FACE THE NATION finished first in viewers and adults 25-54 (tied with NBC). FACE THE NATION delivered 3.53m viewers (up +6%, from 3.32m) and 0.8/04 in adults 25-54 (up +33%, from 0.6/04) from last year, according to Nielsen live plus same day ratings. Editor's Note: FACE THE NATION's second half-hour was broadcast contiguously across 78.31% of the CBS affiliates.

On the May 22 broadcast, CBS News Correspondent Margaret Brennan reported on the drone strike in Pakistan that killed Taliban leader Mullah Mansour. CBS News Foreign Correspondent Holly Williams reported on the investigation into what happened to Egypt Air flight 804; CBS News Aviation and Safety Expert Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, former NTSB Chairman, CBS News Aviation Safety Analyst Mark Rosenker and Former White House Homeland Security Adviser Fran Townsend provided analysis on the plane crash. Turning to Campaign 2016, John Dickerson interviewed Democratic Presidential Candidate Bernie Sanders and CBS News Director of Elections Anthony Salvanto unveiled new Battleground Tracker polling. The political roundtable featured The Atlantic's Molly Ball; Vox.com's Ezra Klein; National Review's Ramesh Ponnuru; and Washington Post's Ed O'Keefe.

Mary Hager is the Executive Producer of the Emmy award-winning FACE THE NATION, one of the longest-running news programs in the history of television.

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