Ratings hit rock bottom for Chuck Todd's 'Meet the Press'

"Meet the Press" – the longest-running program on American television – had its worst ratings since Chuck Todd became the host in 2014, according to a new report.

"Meet the Press with Chuck Todd" recorded its lowest-rated quarter over the April-May-June period, according to Radar.

The entertainment media outlet reported that the low ratings have "caught the attention of network brass" at NBC.

"Meet the Press" – which is in its 38th season – peaked with an average of more than 4 million viewers in the first quarter of 2017 when Donald Trump was president. However, the NBC News program attracted an average of just over 2.3 million viewers last month.

In the advertiser-coveted demo of viewers ages 25-54, "Meet the Press" only garnered an average of 492,000 viewers in the second quarter.

ABC boasted that its Sunday news program, "This Week with George Stephanopoulos," was excelling.

"Season to date, 'This Week' is ranking No. 1 in Adults 25-54, leading CBS' 'Face the Nation' and NBC's 'Meet the Press' at this point of the season for the first time in 28 years — since the 1993-1994 season," according to ABC News public relations. "'This Week' is also posting its largest lead over the CBS program in 22 years — since the 1999-2000 season. 'This Week' is leading NBC's 'Meet the Press' in total viewers season to date for the first time in 7 years — since the 2014-2015 season."

"This Week" saw its total viewers increase by 4% year to year.

An anonymous TV insider told Radar Online, "This does not augur well for Chuck."

“NBC News Chairman Cesar Conde must really be concerned. This is like David Gregory all over again," the insider said.

Todd replaced David Gregory in 2014 after "Meet the Press" struggled with TV ratings.

"Meet the Press Daily" – the weekday counterpart to the NBC News Sunday program – was booted from MSNBC in June. "Meet the Press Daily" was rebranded as "Meet the Press NOW" and broadcast on the NBC News NOW streaming service.

Chris Jansing took over Todd's 1 p.m. slot on MSNBC.

"Chuck was one of the first broadcast anchors to see the massive potential of streaming and bringing ‘Meet the Press’s’ daily franchise to NBC News Now reinforces the platform’s status as the destination for news on streaming," NBC News President Noah Oppenheim said in a statement in May.

In December 2020, Todd told the Wrap, "Over the last six years, we’ve always approached ‘Meet the Press’ as more than just a Sunday show and I view our ratings success, in part, on our ability to reach people where they are and not just hoping they find us. This has been one of the most challenging years for everyone and that includes this incredible team and I couldn’t be prouder."