For years, David Muir has been the undisputed face of American evening news, leading ABC’s World News Tonight to ratings dominance and earning the loyalty of millions of viewers. But behind the scenes at ABC News, executives are reportedly feeling a new kind of pressure—one that comes not from a scandal or a misstep, but from a handsome young rival shaking up the ratings war: NBC’s Tom Llamas.

A New Challenger Emerges

The atmosphere at ABC News has grown noticeably tense in recent weeks, according to industry insiders. The reason? Tom Llamas, who took over as host of NBC Nightly News last month, is making significant inroads in the coveted 25-54 and 18-49 demographics. These groups represent the core of the advertising market and are crucial to the long-term health of any news division.

Llamas, 46, is no stranger to the anchor desk. Before joining NBC, he spent years at ABC, including a stint as the weekend anchor for World News Tonight. His transition to NBC was initially met with skepticism, as he stepped into the shoes of longtime host Lester Holt, a respected industry veteran. But in just a few weeks, Llamas has managed to close the ratings gap with Muir to its narrowest margin in five years, especially among younger viewers.

“There’s a growing concern that Muir’s once-apparent successor is already showing promising signs—and it’s starting to reflect in the ratings,” an industry source told the Daily Mail.

Ratings on the Rise

The numbers tell a compelling story. Under Llamas’s leadership, NBC Nightly News has posted three consecutive weeks of growth in total viewers—a feat that has not gone unnoticed at ABC. While Muir’s World News Tonight remains the clear leader, with a total audience of 7.308 million in June (up from 7.24 million in May), NBC is gaining ground, securing 5.751 million viewers, a year-over-year increase.

The all-important 25-54 demographic has become a battleground. In June, World News Tonight drew 1.01 million viewers in this age group, while Nightly News pulled in 840,000—a gap, but a narrowing one. Even more telling, Llamas’s show was the only evening newscast to see growth in both total and demo viewers, year-over-year and week-over-week.

A high-level industry insider tried to downplay concerns, telling the Daily Mail, “The reality is World News Tonight is beating Nightly News by nearly 2 million viewers on many nights and just had the biggest June win over Nightly News in 30 years. While NBC News remains focused on their transition from Lester Holt, ABC News remains focused on the news.”

But the numbers don’t lie: Llamas is making an impact, and ABC is watching.

A Shifting Landscape

The pressure on ABC is compounded by other recent upheavals. In June, veteran correspondent Terry Moran was abruptly fired after 27 years, following a controversial social media post criticizing Donald Trump and his aide Stephen Miller. Meanwhile, GMA3—the third hour of Good Morning America—is reportedly facing cancellation after struggling to hold onto viewers.

“Between this, the disastrous Terry Moran exit, and GMA3 being completely reworked, anxiety is high at ABC,” the insider admitted.

Muir himself, known for his privacy and professionalism, made a rare move in late May: he sat down for an interview with People magazine, just days before Llamas’s debut as NBC’s lead anchor. Some at ABC saw this as a sign that even Muir is feeling the heat.

Tom Llamas: The New Face of NBC Nightly News

Tom Llamas’s ascent is no accident. Charismatic and camera-ready, he brings a fresh energy to NBC’s flagship broadcast. Llamas has avoided the ratings drop that often accompanies anchor transitions, maintaining—and even growing—the show’s audience. His approach is straightforward and serious, but he’s also shown a willingness to connect with viewers on a personal level.

In a June interview with The Washington Post, Llamas was candid about his ambitions. “I want to be number one in primetime,” he said. “It’s not easy. But it’s something I think we can do. It’s not going to happen in a month.”

NBC’s transition from Lester Holt, who was beloved for his even-handed reporting, has so far been smoother than many industry observers predicted. Llamas’s steady hand and growing popularity among younger viewers suggest that NBC’s gamble may pay off.

The State of the Ratings War

Despite Llamas’s impressive start, David Muir’s World News Tonight remains the gold standard. Muir, 51, has anchored the program since 2014, taking over from Diane Sawyer at a time when NBC still led the ratings race. In the eleven years since, Muir has closed—and then widened—the gap, holding the primetime crown for nine consecutive years.

Nielsen data shows that Muir’s lead over Nightly News in June was the largest for a second quarter in three decades—a 1.58 million viewer margin. Among younger viewers, World News Tonight is still the dominant force.

Meanwhile, CBS News has struggled to keep pace. The network suffered embarrassing slumps after former anchor Norah O’Donnell left her seat in January, leaving ABC and NBC to battle for the top spot.

Looking Ahead: Can Llamas Catch Muir?

Muir’s position is secure—for now. His blend of gravitas, warmth, and journalistic integrity has made him the most popular newscaster in America. But the rise of Tom Llamas is a reminder that even the biggest stars can’t rest on their laurels.

Llamas’s challenge is formidable. He’s up against a seasoned competitor with a massive head start and a fiercely loyal audience. But his early gains suggest that the evening news landscape is far from static. As younger viewers tune in and habits shift, the battle for the anchor desk is entering a new era.

For ABC News executives, the message is clear: the competition is heating up, and the days of complacency are over. Whether Muir can maintain his dominance or Llamas can pull off an upset remains to be seen. But one thing is certain—the ratings war is back, and the stakes have never been higher.