The View, ABC’s daytime juggernaut, is roaring back to life with its strongest ratings in nearly five months, posting massive gains among women 25-54—the key demographic advertisers crave—and week-to-week surges in the coveted 18-49 group. For the week of October 20-26, 2025, the show averaged 2.8 million total viewers, up 15% from the prior week, and topped its demo with a 1.2 share among women 25-54, according to Nielsen data released October 28. Industry insiders are hailing it a “massive momentum surge,” crediting the show’s signature mix of fiery debates, tear-jerking interviews, and headline-grabbing moments for reeling in viewers who had drifted to competitors like The Talk.
The catalyst? A blistering October 23 segment where co-hosts Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Behar clashed with guest conservative commentator Ben Shapiro over Trump’s 2025 deportation policies. Goldberg’s impassioned “This isn’t America—it’s cruelty!” line went viral with 5 million X views, driving a 25% spike in 18-49 viewers the next day. “When The View catches fire, it dominates the conversation—and this week, everyone’s talking again,” gushed an ABC exec to Variety. The episode pulled 3.4 million viewers, its highest since July, outpacing CBS’s The Talk by 40% in key demos.
This resurgence comes amid The View‘s 2025 challenges: a 10% overall dip earlier in the year due to Sunny Hostin’s maternity leave and rotating guests. But with the core panel—Goldberg, Behar, Alyssa Farah Griffin, Ana Navarro, and Sara Haines—back in full force, the show has recaptured its edge. Farah Griffin’s emotional interview with a Texas flood survivor on October 24 added heart, boosting women 25-54 by 18%. “It’s unscripted authenticity that wins,” says Nielsen analyst Brian Fuhrer. “Debates draw the young, stories keep the loyal.”
For ABC, the timing is golden. Daytime TV’s cutthroat landscape sees The View reclaiming its throne from The Talk (down 8%) and The Kelly Clarkson Show (flat). Execs eye holiday boosts, with Thanksgiving specials planned. Whoopi Goldberg tweeted, “We’re just getting started—grateful for you all!” (2M likes), fueling speculation of Emmy sweeps.
The View’s comeback proves talk TV thrives on passion. As one insider quipped, “Fire sells—The View is ablaze.” With 29 seasons under its belt, the show isn’t just surviving—it’s soaring, reminding rivals why it’s daytime royalty.
