
NEW YORK - March 5, 2025 - An estimated 36.6 million people watched President Donald Trump's address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, March 4, according to Nielsen.
Viewership peaked from 9:45 p.m. 10:00 p.m. ET with 37,895,000 viewers.
This year's audience was up over 13% compared with the 32.2 million viewers that watched President Biden's State of the Union address in 2024. Of the 36.6 million viewers that watched President Trump's joint address:
5.7% of viewers were aged 18-34.
20.5% of viewers were aged 35-54.
70.7% of viewers were aged 55 and older.
While coverage varied by network, 15 networks televised the joint address from approximately 9:15 p.m. ET until 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday. A full list of reported networks can be referenced in the viewership summary table below.
Pres. Trump's 2025 Joint Address to Congress
Viewership Across TV Networks
March 4, 2025
Number of Viewers Average Audience Rating
Persons 2 36,630,000 11.6
Households 25,182,000 20.0
Persons 18-34 2,101,000 2.9
Persons 35-54 7,515,000 9.2
Persons 55 25,908,000 25.7
Source: Nielsen. NNTV, Live Same-Day.
Data in this table is inclusive of broadcast and cable networks that aired the event, in addition to PBS.
2025 reported networks include: ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, Merit Street, Telemundo, Univision, PBS, CNN, CNNe, FOX Business, FOX News Channel, MSNBC, NewsMax, NewsNation.
Audience estimates are inclusive of out-of-home viewing for all reported networks except Merit Street Media, Newsmax, NewsNation and PBS, which do not include out-of-home contributions.
Audience projections are rounded to the nearest thousand (000).
Historical Viewership: State of the Union Addresses
Date Combined No. of Viewers Combined HHLD Rating Included Networks President
3/4/2025* 36,630,000 20.0 ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, Merit Street, TEL, UNI, PBS, CNN, CNNe, FBN, FOXNC, MSNBC, NewsMax, NewsNation Trump
3/7/2024 32,232,000 18.5 ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, TEL, UNI, PBS, CNN, CNNe, FBN, FOXNC, MSNBC, NewsMax, NewsNation, Biden
2/7/2023 27,312,000 16.1 ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, TEL, UNI, NBCLX, PBS, CNBC, CNN, CNNe, FBN, FOXNC, MSNBC, NewsMax, NewsNation Biden
3/1/2022 38,197,000 22.4 ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, TEL, UNI, NBCLX, PBS, Black News Channel, CNBC, CNN, CNNe, FOXNC, MSNBC, Newsmax, NewsNation Biden
4/28/2021* 26,936,000 16.5 ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, TEL, UNI, PBS, CNBC, CNN, CNNe, FBN, FOXNC, MSNBC, Newsmax, NewsNation and Newsy Biden
2/4/2020 37,173,000 22.7 ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, Telemundo, Univision, PBS, CNN, CNNe, FBN, FOXNC and MSNBC Trump
2/5/2019 46,789,000 28.0 ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, Telemundo, Univision, PBS, CNN, CNNe, FBN, FOXNC and MSNBC Trump
1/30/2018 45,551,000 26.9 ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, Estrella, Telemundo, Univision, CNN, FBN, FOX News, MSNBC and PBS Trump
2/28/2017* 47,741,000 28.7 ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, UNI, PBS, CNN, FBN Net, FOXNC, MSNBC, and NBC Universo Trump
1/12/2016 31,334,349 19.6 ABC, Al Jazeera America, Azteca, CBS, CNN, FOX, FBN, FOXNC, Galavision, MSNBC, NBC, NBC Universo, Univision^ Obama
1/20/2015 31,710,349 19.9 ABC, Al Jazeera America, Azteca, CBS, CNN, FOX, FBN, FOXNC, Galavision, MSNBC, MundoFOX, NBC, Univision^ Obama
1/18/2014 33,299,172 20.7 CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, Azteca, FBN, FOXNC, CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, Al Jazeera America, Galavision, Mun2, UNI^ Obama
2/12/2013 33,497,607 21.8 FOX, ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, Azteca, UNI, MFX, CNBC, CNN, FBN, FOXNC, MSNBC, Current, Centric, GALA Obama
1/24/2012 37,752,613 24.0 ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, TEL, TF, UNI, CNBC, CNN, FBN, FOXNC, GALA, MSNBC and MUN2 Obama
1/25/2011 42,789,947 26.6 ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, TEL, UNI, CNN, Centric, CNBC, FOXNC, and MSNBC Obama
1/27/2010 48,009,595 29.8 ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, TEL, UNI, CNN, BET, CNBC, FOXNC, MSNBC Obama
2/24/2009* 52,373,000 32.5 ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CNBC, CNN, FOXNC, MSNBC, TELEMUNDO, UNIVISION Obama
1/28/2008 37,515,000 24.7 ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CNN, FOXNC, MSNBC, TELEMUNDO^, UNIVISION G.W Bush
1/23/2007 45,486,000 29.6 ABC, CBS, FOX**, NBC, CNN, FOXNC, MSNBC, TELEMUNDO**, UNIVISION ** G.W. Bush
1/31/2006 43,179,000 35.3 ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CNN, FOXNC, MSNBC, AZTECA AMERICA, TELEFUTURA, TELEMUNDO G.W. Bush
2/2/2005 39,432,000 31.2 ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CNN, FOXNC, MSNBC, TELEFUTURA, TELEMUNDO G.W. Bush
1/20/2004 43,411,000 28.0 ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CNN, CNBC, FOXNC, MSNBC G.W. Bush
1/28/2003 62,061,000 38.8 ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CNN, CNBC, FOXNC, MSNBC G.W. Bush
1/29/2002 51,773,000 33.6 ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CNN, CNBC, FOXNC, MSNBC G.W. Bush
2/27/2001* 39,793,000 27.6 ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CNN, FOXNC, MSNBC G.W. Bush
1/27/2000 31,478,000 22.4 ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CNN, FOXNC, MSNBC Clinton
1/19/1999 43,500,000 31.0 ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CNN, FOXNC, MSNBC Clinton
1/27/1998 53,077,000 37.2 ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CNN, CNBC, FOXNC, MSNBC Clinton
2/4/1997 41,100,000 28.4 ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CNN Clinton
1/23/1996 40,900,000 29.6 ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CNN Clinton
1/24/1995 42,200,000 29.5 ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN Clinton
1/25/1994 45,800,000 32.9 ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN Clinton
2/17/1993* 66,900,000 44.3 ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN Clinton
Source: Nielsen
Time-shifted viewing (Live Same-Day, 3am-3am) is included in audience estimates in this table for years 2006 and later. Estimates prior to 2006 include live viewing only.
* Single asterisks denote addresses that were officially Addresses to Joint Sessions of Congress.
^ Denotes tape-delayed coverage by a particular network.
** 1/23/07: coverage of asterisked (**) networks went beyond a common end time. Measurement of these networks included SOTU address and commentary. Does not include Democratic Response.
Press Contact: Lauren Pabst
lauren.pabst@nielsen.com
More from Nielsen
23/04/2025
WBD's Max viewership climbs 6%, boosted by The White Lotus' and The Pi...
23/04/2025
March shows a further downward trend of time spent watching television; following the February period when winter holidays contributed to a shorter time spent. ...
23/04/2025
During March, audiences in Mexico increased their streaming usage by 2.1 points compared to the previous month, accounting for 24.4% of TV viewing.
Disclaimer:...
23/04/2025
AANHPI audiences over index the total U.S. for share of time spent with Netflix ...
21/04/2025
Advertising investment up 9% YoY for travel and accommodationSydney - April 16, 2025 - Nielsen Ad Intel data shows that travel and accommodation has grown stron...
15/04/2025
Seven different platforms deliver March's most-watched streaming titles.
St...
14/04/2025
For the first time, advertisers and agencies can directly compare campaign perfo...
04/04/2025
Warsaw, Poland - March 24, 2025 - Nielsen, a global leader in audience measurement, data and analytics, has published its latest February All Screens Video Land...
27/03/2025
First of its kind ID-based, advanced audience integration
NEW YORK - March 27, ...
25/03/2025
YouTube captures 11.6% of TV viewing in February.
FOX climbs into the top three...
20/03/2025
Auckland, March 20, 2025 Nielsen Ad Intel's latest data shows advertising ...
20/03/2025
Auckland, March 11, 2025 Nielsen Ad Intel, New Zealand's most comprehensiv...
19/03/2025
Report highlights three key trends in a shifting media landscapeNew York, NY - March 19, 2025 - Nielsen, a global leader in audience measurement, data, and anal...
18/03/2025
During February, audiences in Mexico slightly increased their streaming usage by 0.6 points compared to the previous month, accounting for 22.3% of TV viewing.
...
18/03/2025
February is the time of winter holidays, during which Poles often organize trips, which was reflected in less time spent in front of TV screens: on average 5 mi...
18/03/2025
Sunday, Feb. 9 becomes the second most-watched day of TV in Gauge history with o...
12/03/2025
More than 70% of FAST programming has been produced since 2010, according to new Gracenote report
NEW YORK March 12, 2025 Gracenote, the content data busin...
10/03/2025
Nielsen Marketing Cloud data now available in LiveRamp's Data Marketplace fo...
07/03/2025
NEW YORK - March 7, 2025 - The NFL's Super Bowl LIX, broadcast on FOX, FOX Deportes and Telemundo and streamed on Tubi and NFL digital properties, continues...
06/03/2025
NEW YORK - March 5, 2025 - An estimated 36.6 million people watched President Donald Trump's address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, March 4, acc...
03/03/2025
Sydney March 3, 2025 Nielsen Ad Intel, Australia's most comprehensive ad...
28/02/2025
Sydney February 11, 2025 Nielsen today announced the appointment of Kirsten Riolo as Head of Consumer Insights for Australia and New Zealand, leading the co...
26/02/2025
Disney and Netflix Each Clinch Company Best Performances
FOX and Disney Lead Mo...
26/02/2025
More sports added to four of the five leading services; big increases for Disney...
24/02/2025
NEW YORK, NY - February 24, 2025 - Nielsen, the global leader in audience measurement, data and analytics, announced that Jessica Holscott will join the company...
21/02/2025
Integration Enhances Audience Measurement Capabilities for Mutual Clients Across...
18/02/2025
Streaming's share of TV viewing in Mexico saw a slight decrease during January, dipping by 0.6 percentage points compared to December. Streaming accounted f...
18/02/2025
The January winter weather encouraged people to spend more time in front of their TVs. Poles consumed video content for an average of 4 hours and 17 minutes per...
18/02/2025
NYE, Golden Globes and scripted dramas also elevate broadcast viewing.
Netflix achieves a new platform record, powered by 9B viewing minutes of Squid Game'...
18/02/2025
NEW YORK - February 18, 2025 - The NFL's Super Bowl LIX, broadcast on FOX, FOX Deportes and Telemundo and streamed on Tubi and NFL digital properties, conti...
17/02/2025
Mumbai, February 17, 2025: Nielsen, a global leader in audience measurement, dat...
15/02/2025
At Nielsen, Business Resource Groups (BRGs) play a critical role in nurturing a ...
13/02/2025
Multi-year deal includes Local TV and OTT measurement for stations across the country
Nielsen's Local TV measurement backed by Big Data + Panel
NEW YORK -...
12/02/2025
NEW YORK - February 11, 2025 - An estimated 127.7 million viewers tuned in for Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, February 9, according to Nielsen, making it the largest...
07/02/2025
NFL, Red One, Carry On, Elf, A Christmas Story, Home Alone and Virgin River Among Top Programming for the day
Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, MAX, Disney , Peac...
05/02/2025
New Coverage and Reach Metrics to Begin For February 2025 and will be Included for Super Bowl LIX Ratings
New York February 3, 2025 Nielsen, a global leade...
05/02/2025
Multi-year deal includes Local TV ratings for all markets and includes Nielsen's Ad Intel
Nielsen's Local TV measurement powered by Big Data + Panel
N...
04/02/2025
Nielsen Reports Major Recent Ratings Milestones for CBS and Paramount Series
N...
30/01/2025
NEW YORK, Jan. 29, 2025 - Black audiences spend 32 hours on apps and websites on...
30/01/2025
Auckland - January 30, 2025 - Data released today by Nielsen Ad Intel and Nielse...
29/01/2025
Pure-play streaming companies account for over a quarter of total TV in December...
28/01/2025
Streaming viewership in 2024 reached over 12 trillion minutes, +10% from 2023.
...
27/01/2025
NEW YORK, NY and Atlanta, GA - January 27, 2025 - Nielsen, a global leader in a...
23/01/2025
During December, audiences in Mexico increased their streaming usage by 0.7 points compared to the previous month, accounting for 22.3% of TV viewing.
Disclaim...
23/01/2025
Nielsen is First Accredited National TV Audience Measurement Provider for Big Da...
22/01/2025
December is the perfect month for spending time together in front of the TV, with the winter weather and festive period combining to create the ideal conditions...
22/01/2025
NEW YORK - January 21, 2025 - An estimated 24.6 million viewers tuned in on Mond...
21/01/2025
Four days in December interval exceed 100 billion viewing minutes of TV.
Netfli...
15/01/2025
London, UK - January 15, 2025 - Nielsen, a global leader in audience measurement, data, and analytics, has today announced the appointment of Inam Mahmood as it...
15/01/2025
NEW YORK - January 15, 2025 - Nielsen, a global leader in audience measurement, data and analytics, today unveiled its 2025 Upfront/NewFront Guide, a vital reso...