Palin Gives 'Today' Edge Over Couric's 'GMA'

Published
The Today Show

In day two of this week's morning show wars, NBC's Today show got enough of a boost from Sarah Palin to win the race over Good Morning America, which enlisted former Today co-host Katie Couric in a bid to reel in ratings.

Preliminary figures reveal that Today attracted 5.5 million viewers during Tuesday's show -- an increase of about 100,000 over its usual numbers -- compared to 5.14 million for GMA, which normally pulls in an average of 4.9 million people, according to TheWrap.com

In the crucial 25 to 54 demographic, Today was slightly down from its normal 2.0 rating with a 1.8 on Tuesday, while GMA retained its typical 1.6. 

On Monday, both shows were down from their seasonal averages, despite it being Couric's first day filling in at GMA for vacationing anchor Robin Roberts, and even though Couric's replacement on Today, Meredith Vieira, returned to NBC for the morning after her departure last year.