• The volume of climate change coverage on corporate broadcast morning and nightly news programs, as well as Sunday morning political shows, decreased 25% from 2023 to 2024, from 17 hours and 12 minutes (1,032 minutes) to 12 hours and 51 minutes (771 minutes) across 324 segments.
• Only 9% of climate segments on corporate broadcast news –  28 out of 324 segments – mentioned “fossil fuels.” This is a decrease from 2023, when “fossil fuels” were mentioned in 12% of climate segments. 
• For the fourth consecutive year, CBS led network climate coverage, accounting for 50% of total broadcast time, airing 381 minutes across 129 segments. Despite ranking third in broadcast minutes with 184, ABC aired the second-highest number of segments (103), while NBC aired 199 minutes across 88 segments.
• On the nightly news programs specifically, the volume of coverage decreased by only 5% from 2023. In 2024, these programs aired 246 minutes across 115 segments. CBS led with 118 minutes across 48 segments, followed by NBC with 92 minutes across 42 segments, and ABC with 36 minutes across 25 segments. 
  • PBS’ NewsHour aired 88 climate segments in 2024 compared to 122 segments aired in 2023. NewsHour, however, is not included in the full data set, as it is publicly funded and the format of the program is different from that of its corporate network counterparts.
• Climate coverage on corporate broadcast morning news programs decreased by 27% compared to 2023.
• For at least the eighth consecutive year, white men were the largest demographic of guests featured in climate segments. On morning news, nightly news, and Sunday morning political programs, 64% of guests — 190 out of 295 — were white men. Women remained underrepresented, making up 27% of guests. Only 7% of guests — 21 in total — were women of color.
• In 2024, extreme weather events drove a significant portion of broadcast climate coverage, coming up in 31% of total segments (102 of 324). This represents a decrease from 2023, when extreme weather was discussed in 37% of segments (160 out of 435).
• Coverage peaked during the months of June through September, a period marked by record-breaking temperatures and severe weather events. The networks aired 46% of their total climate segments during this period, with June leading with 50 segments.
• Solutions or actions to address climate change were mentioned in 23% of segments (75 of 324), compared to 22% in 2023.
• Coverage of climate justice and disproportionate climate impacts appeared in 3% of segments (11 of 324) in 2024, down from 5% in 2023.

The 25% decrease in corporate broadcast news coverage from 2023 to 2024 (1,032 minutes to 771) is striking, especially during a year marked by the second-highest number of billion-dollar weather disasters on record. The decline underscores the persistent challenges of maintaining consistent climate coverage amid competing news priorities, from political events to global conflicts. 

2024 climate coverage overview 

• For the fourth year, CBS led in volume of climate coverage with 381 minutes across 129 segments, an 11% decrease from 2023, the smallest decline among networks.
• NBC aired 199 minutes of climate coverage across 88 segments, a 36% decrease from the 312 minutes aired in 2023. This was the largest decrease among the broadcast networks.
• ABC aired 184 minutes of climate coverage, a 35% decrease from the 284 minutes aired in 2023. However, ABC produced 103 climate segments, nearly matching CBS' total number of climate stories. This reflects a consistent effort to incorporate climate coverage across  news programming, despite shorter average segment lengths.

Like in 2023, corporate broadcast news coverage fluctuated significantly throughout 2024, with strong coverage during the summer months. Monthly coverage in 2024 ranged from a peak of 123 minutes in June to a low of 23 minutes in December, reflecting the challenges of maintaining consistent climate reporting.  

Morning news programs reduced coverage by 27% from 2023

Morning news programs aired 489 minutes of coverage across 195 segments in 2024, a 27% decrease from the 673 minutes aired in 2023.

• CBS maintained its lead in morning coverage, airing 245 minutes across 74 segments, a 15% decrease from the 289 minutes aired in 2023.
• ABC's morning news programs aired 139 minutes of climate coverage in 2024, a 24% decrease from the 183 minutes of 2023. However, ABC produced 76 segments, more than both CBS and NBC.
• NBC aired 105 minutes across 45 segments during its morning news programs, a 48% decrease from the 201 minutes of coverage aired in 2023.

For the first time, our study includes ABC's GMA3, which airs for one hour on weekdays. Although it airs during the afternoon, we are categorizing it as a morning show because it follows the same format and branding as ABC's Good Morning America, which airs for two hours Monday through Saturday and for one hour on Sunday.

CBS Mornings airs Monday through Friday for two hours, as does CBS Saturday Morning. CBS News Sunday Morning airs for 90.

NBC's Today airs for four hours on weekdays, but our monitoring includes only the first three hours – the main program (7-9 a.m.) and the third hour (9-10 AM) – because the final hour, Today with Hoda and Jenna, is a lifestyle and entertainment show.

Sunday morning political shows were assessed separately and not included within our categorization of morning news programs.

Nightly news programs' climate coverage decreased slightly in 2024

Corporate broadcast nightly news programs aired 246 minutes of climate coverage across 115 segments in 2024, a 5% decrease from the 259 minutes aired in 2023.

• CBS led evening coverage, airing 118 minutes across 48 segments — a 55% increase from the 76 minutes aired in 2023. CBS was the sole network to increase its evening climate coverage, likely due to its broad team of correspondents, led by Ben Tracy and Jonathan Vigliotti, who covered extreme weather, climate solutions, and recovery efforts, including segments on post-wildfire rebuilding in Palisades and Lahaina.
• NBC aired 92 minutes across 42 segments, a 16% decrease from the 109 minutes aired in 2023.
• ABC aired 36 minutes across 25 segments, a 51% decrease from the 74 minutes aired in 2023.
  • For comparison, PBS NewsHour aired 88 segments in 2024, a 27% decrease from its 122 segments aired in 2023.

Sunday morning political shows maintained limited climate coverage

In 2024, Sunday morning political shows on ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox aired 36 minutes of climate coverage across 14 segments, a 65% decrease from the 102 minutes aired in 2023.

• CBS' Face the Nation led Sunday coverage with 18 minutes across 7 segments, a 73% decrease from the 66 minutes aired in 2023.
• ABC's This Week aired 9 minutes across 2 segments, a 68% decrease from the 28 minutes aired in 2023.
• Fox News Sunday aired 7 minutes across 4 segments in 2024, compared to 6 minutes in 2023.
• NBC's Meet the Press aired 2 minutes in a single segment, matching its 2023 coverage level.

Climate coverage peaked in June

In 2024, climate coverage peaked in June, when corporate broadcast networks aired 123 minutes of climate reporting. This peak was driven by extensive coverage of the summer heat wave affecting millions of Americans.

• Morning news programs aired 70 minutes of climate coverage in June, while nightly news programs aired 42 minutes, and Sunday morning political programs aired 10 minutes.
  • CBS aired 67 minutes of climate coverage in June, its peak month.
  • NBC aired 37 minutes of climate coverage in June, its peak month.
  • ABC aired 19 minutes of climate coverage in June, though its peak occurred in April with 26 minutes.

Corporate broadcast networks concentrated their climate coverage in peak extreme weather months (June through September), airing 357 minutes or 46% of the year's total during that period. Coverage peaked in June (123 minutes), followed by August (104 minutes), and July (66 minutes). Although broadcast climate coverage naturally peaks during extreme weather events, networks should strive to maintain sustained coverage that reflects the growing impact of global warming on the economy, public health, agriculture, and even human migration.

In 2024, climate coverage continued to have significant disparities in guest demographics.
 

• Among 295 guests, 73% were men (216) and 27% were women (79). White guests made up 84% (248), while people of color accounted for 16% (47), including 16 Black guests, 13 Hispanic guests, and 2 Indigenous guests.
• PBS NewsHour featured 139 named guests in 2024, of whom 90 were men (65%) and 49 were women (35%). 111 guests were white (80%) and 28 were people of color (20%), including 8 Black guests, 13 Hispanic guests, and 1 Indigenous guest.

The underrepresentation of diverse voices in climate coverage — which comes despite the increasing racial/ethnic diversity of the United States — is especially concerning, as climate change disproportionately harms marginalized communities, both domestically and globally. The demographic imbalance also poses a major barrier to fostering inclusive climate discourse that accurately reflects the experiences and perspectives of affected communities.

Media Matters has identified three key groups most affected by climate change: frontline communities, impacted communities, and first responders. Broadcast coverage in 2024 continued to underrepresent these critical voices.

• Of all guests, 25% (75 appearances) across morning, evening, and Sunday news programs were coded as members of frontline communities, impacted communities, or first responders. 
• Impacted community members accounted for 52 appearances, defined as those affected by specific climate events or ongoing impacts on their livelihood, homes, infrastructure, and/or local economy.
• First responders accounted for 19 appearances in climate coverage.
• There were only 4 appearances made by frontline community members, defined as those living near fossil fuel infrastructure or uniquely affected by global warming's ongoing impacts on health, livelihood, and/or local economy.

Climate coverage in 2024 revealed shifts from the previous year. Although overall expert representation remained stable, appearances by climate scientists and advocates decreased.

• In 2024, 24% of guests (70 out of 295) were experts with climate-related knowledge, including researchers, public health professionals, and technical specialists such as atmospheric scientists and engineers, comparable to 24% (100 out of 411) in 2023. 
• Climate scientist appearances decreased from 10% (41 out of 411) in 2023 to 5% (14 out of 295) in 2024.
  • CBS featured 8 climate scientists.
  • NBC featured 6 climate scientists.
  • ABC featured no climate scientists.
• Climate advocate appearances decreased from 22 in 2023 to 15 in 2024.

Extreme weather

2024 marked a historic year of climate extremes, becoming the first calendar year on record to exceed pre-industrial temperatures by 1.5°C. The United States also experienced 27 separate billion-dollar weather and climate disasters, resulting in 568 fatalities and $182.7 billion in damages — the fourth-costliest year on record. These devastating impacts, from Hurricane Helene's unprecedented North Carolina floods to Hurricane Milton's rapid intensification, provided the backdrop for broadcast climate coverage throughout the year.

The global scope of extreme weather in 2024 was equally severe. Record-breaking floods in Spain claimed more than 200 lives when Valencia received a year's worth of rain in only eight hours. Asia endured multiple devastating typhoons, with Typhoon Yagi causing more than 500 deaths. Brazil experienced severe droughts, with the Paraguay River reaching record lows, while the Sahara witnessed unprecedented floods for the first time in perhaps half a century. These international disasters highlighted the widespread devastation of climate-driven weather events.

Coverage Highlights 

• Extreme weather was mentioned in 31% of all climate segments (102 out of 324), a decrease from 2023, when extreme weather was mentioned in 37% of segments (160 out of 435).
  • The top 5 most-covered extreme weather events were Hurricane Helene (17 segments), an extreme heat event affecting large swaths of the continental United States in June (17 segments), Hurricane Beryl (8 segments), Hurricane Milton (6 segments), and the July Western U.S. wildfires (4 segments).
• Morning news programs mentioned extreme weather in 46 climate segments.
  • CBS led with 18 segments.
  • ABC aired 16 segments.
  • NBC aired 12 segments.
• Nightly news programs mentioned extreme weather in 53 climate segments.
  • NBC led with 24 segments.
  • CBS aired 20 segments.
  • ABC aired 9 segments.
• Sunday morning political programs provided limited coverage that linked extreme weather to climate change, with 3 total climate segments.
  • CBS aired 2 segments.
  • ABC aired 1 segment.

Despite extreme weather being a driver of broadcast climate coverage, climate change was only mentioned in a small percent of overall extreme weather reporting in 2024, which suggests a clear opportunity for broadcast networks to increase climate coverage by more consistently connecting the ways our warming planet is influencing extreme weather events.

Only 5% of corporate broadcast segments about Hurricane Milton connected the storm to global warming, while climate was mentioned in 2% of broadcast segments about the July wildfires in the Western U.S. and Canada. Hurricane Beryl saw a similar trend, with 6% of broadcast segments connecting the storm to climate change. The June extreme heat event, which affected large swaths of the continental United States, had the highest climate connection, with 16% of broadcast segments linking the heat wave to climate change. 

Trends in extreme weather coverage

Record-breaking climate patterns drive coverage 

In 2024, broadcast networks covered unprecedented climate milestones as global temperatures exceeded pre-industrial levels by 1.5°C for the first time. Some coverage emphasized mounting evidence of accelerating climate impacts, from temperature records to extreme weather events, while incorporating scientific analysis to contextualize these developments.

Coverage highlights

• Broadcast networks aired 31 segments on climate trends in 2024, a notable decrease from 2023's 102 segments. Climate trends refer to long-term changes in global temperatures, weather patterns, and extreme weather events driven by climate change.
  • ABC led with 12 segments.
  • CBS aired 9 segments.
  • NBC aired 8 segments.
    • During the July 23 episode of ABC's World News Tonight, host David Muir reported July 21 as the hottest day on record.
    • During the September 23 episode of CBS Mornings, meteorologist Stephanie Abrams highlighted how Summer 2024 was the warmest on record globally and projected 2024 to surpass 2023 as the hottest year on record.

Integration of scientific research and climate attribution

Climate attribution studies analyze how global warming influences the likelihood and intensity of specific weather events, providing essential scientific evidence that helps audiences understand climate impacts in their daily lives. These studies appeared less frequently in broadcast coverage in 2024 compared to 2023.

• Climate attribution appeared in 7 segments in 2024, compared to 10 segments in 2023.
  • CBS featured climate attribution in 4 attribution segments, followed by ABC with 2, and NBC with 1 segment.
    • During the October 6 episode of NBC’s Sunday Today, correspondent Jesse Kirsch reported on climate attribution and how global warming is driving increasingly dangerous extreme weather events.

Beyond attribution studies, corporate broadcast networks incorporated a range of scientific research into their climate coverage.

• Of the 10 segments featuring scientific reports or studies corporate broadcast networks aired: 
  • CBS led with 6 segments featuring research from Climate Central, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, UN environmental reports, and climate impact studies.
  • ABC included climate research in 4 segments, drawing on Climate Central data, NOAA forecasts, and National Climate Assessment findings.
    • During the March 27 episode of CBS Evening News, climate scientist William Anderegg presented Climate Central's findings on climate change's impacts on allergies and season length.
    • During the May 23 episode of ABC’s World News Tonight, host David Muir reported on NOAA’s forecast of 17 to 25 named storms for the 2024 hurricane season.

Trends in climate impacts coverage

Economic and health impacts led nonweather coverage

Climate impact coverage in 2024 paid particular attention to systemic disruptions, with networks emphasizing long-term challenges to economic systems, public health, and ecosystems. Although insurance market disruption may be statistically underrepresented in the coverage data, it emerged as one of the year's most significant narratives, powerfully illustrating the mounting economic urgency of the climate crisis.

Coverage highlights

• The six most frequently mentioned climate impacts, excluding weather-related coverage, in 2024 were:
  • Economic and insurance disruption (35 mentions)
  • Public health impacts (31 mentions)
  • Natural environment effects (30 mentions)
  • Fatalities (19 mentions)
  • Infrastructure (14 mentions)

Coverage of climate impacts across major networks included a segment aired during the August 26 episode of ABC's Good Morning America, where medical correspondent Dr. Darien Sutton linked rising West Nile virus cases to climate change, highlighting how warming temperatures are expanding mosquito populations into new regions. During the September 1 episode of CBS News Sunday Morning, reporting examined the threat climate change poses to California’s Highway 1, particularly in and around Big Sur. NBC's Sunday Today aired a segment on October 13 that featured experts from the Columbia Climate School discussing how climate-driven extreme weather events, including hurricanes Helene and Milton, are reshaping housing and insurance markets.

Solutions

Corporate broadcast networks reduced their climate solutions coverage in 2024, airing 75 segments compared to 95 in 2023. Although solutions coverage maintained a similar proportion of total climate segments (23% in 2024 versus 22% in 2023), it remained well below the 2022 level of 35%. 

Coverage Highlights

• Climate solutions were mentioned in 75 segments across corporate broadcast networks in 2024.
• CBS led coverage with 40 segments, followed by ABC with 21 segments, and NBC with 14 segments.
• Morning news programs mentioned solutions in 52 segments. 
  • CBS led with 26 segments.
  • ABC aired 18 segments.
  • NBC aired 8 segments.
• Nightly news programs mentioned solutions in 21 segments. 
  • CBS led with 13 segments.
  • NBC aired 6 segments.
  • ABC aired 2 segments.
• Sunday morning political programs mentioned solutions in 2 segments, one each from ABC and CBS.

Trends in climate solutions coverage

Adaptation measures led 2024 coverage

Like in 2023, adaptation-focused segments continued to lead climate solutions coverage in 2024, reflecting the ongoing need for communities to build resilience against climate impacts affecting infrastructure, agriculture, and public health. 

Coverage highlights 

• Adaptation strategies were mentioned in 30 segments, leading all solution categories.
• Transportation solutions were mentioned in 14 segments, an increase from 3 segments in 2023.
• Clean electricity production was mentioned in 10 segments.

Examples of specific adaptation initiatives showcased included architectural innovations for hurricane-resistant buildings on CBS Saturday Morning, experimental technology for protecting workers dealing with extreme heat on NBC Nightly News, and advanced air-quality alert systems on CBS Saturday Morning. The segments featured expert perspectives from architects, researchers, and a meteorologist on how these solutions can help communities adapt to intensifying climate impacts. 

2024 Election

Corporate broadcast networks' election coverage touched on climate change, primarily candidate statements and potential administration appointments, with a particular focus on cabinet nominees in late 2024.

Coverage highlights

• Broadcast networks aired 24 segments connecting climate issues to election coverage.
• CBS led with 11 segments, followed by ABC with 9 segments, and NBC with 4 segments.
• Broadcast news shows mentioned Trump administration nominees' anti-climate stances and fossil fuel industry ties in 10 segments.

Broadcast networks focused on Trump administration nominees' climate and environmental positions in November. Coverage centered on then-potential Energy secretary nominee Chris Wright, a fracking executive, examining his climate science skepticism and fossil fuel industry background. Networks also reported on former Rep. Lee Zeldin's then-potential EPA nomination and anticipated environmental policy shifts. The November post-election period marked the year's most sustained attention to climate policy positions in election coverage.

Biden administration climate actions

During a significant period of climate policy implementation, broadcast networks reduced coverage of the Biden administration's climate actions, focusing primarily on major regulatory actions like vehicle emissions standards and natural gas export decisions. Overall coverage decreased in 2024, with 19 segments compared to 29 in 2023. Despite climate and energy emerging as key campaign issues, networks rarely connected these policy decisions to their election coverage. 

Even though the Inflation Reduction Act was the administration’s most significant climate policy, networks rarely framed the solutions from this law as IRA-driven. The lack of coverage and contextualization may have limited public awareness of the law’s climate impact, including its role in expanding clean energy, manufacturing, and community development.

Coverage highlights

• Corporate broadcast networks mentioned Biden administration climate initiatives in 6% of segments in 2024.
• CBS led coverage with 11 segments, while NBC and Fox aired 3 segments each, and ABC aired 2 segments.
  • Vehicle emissions standards led coverage with mentions in 9 segments.
  • Natural gas export policy decisions were mentioned in 5 segments.
  • The Inflation Reduction Act was mentioned in 2 climate segments.

COP29

Corporate broadcast networks mentioned the United Nations climate conference, COP29, in 4 segments in 2024 — a decrease from the 14 segments aired about COP28 in 2023. The Conference of the Parties (COP) is an annual UN climate summit where global leaders, scientists, and activists gather to negotiate climate policy. COP29 focused on advancing climate finance mechanisms and carbon credit frameworks, aiming to help developing nations transition to sustainable energy and adapt to climate impacts. Despite the conference’s critical role in tackling the climate crisis, media coverage was limited, leaving the global negotiations largely out of the public spotlight. 

Coverage highlights

• In 2024, corporate broadcast networks mentioned COP29 in 4 segments.
  • ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox each aired a single segment about the climate conference.

Climate justice

Coverage of climate justice decreased in 2024, with networks airing 11 segments, compared to 21 in 2023. Climate justice focuses on the disproportionate effects of climate change on socially marginalized communities and the need for equitable solutions in addressing global warming. Corporate broadcast networks' coverage of these issues could play a vital role in highlighting disparities and informing public understanding of inclusive climate policies. 

Coverage highlights

• Corporate broadcast networks mentioned climate justice in 11 segments in 2024.
  • ABC mentioned climate justice in 6 segments.
  • CBS mentioned climate justice in 4 segments.
  • NBC mentioned climate justice in 1 segment.

Climate justice coverage in 2024 included an ABC World News Tonight segment aired on April 22, where Ginger Zee interviewed Brett Isaac, founder and executive chairman of Navajo Power, and Eleanor Paddock, a Navajo Nation resident, about efforts to bring electricity to Navajo communities for the first time. On June 8, a CBS Saturday Morning segment examined heat-related disparities, with David Schechter interviewing Ken Rye, who had been personally affected by the lack of air conditioning in marginalized neighborhoods.

Fossil fuel accountability

With an audience of millions, corporate broadcast networks are well-positioned to examine how the fossil fuel industry is driving global warming, helping viewers understand its role in climate disasters, environmental degradation, and public health risks and providing crucial context for climate policy discussions.

Coverage highlights

• In 2024, corporate broadcast networks mentioned “fossil fuels” in the context of climate change in 9% of climate segments, or 28 out of 324. This represents a decrease from 2023, when fossil fuels were mentioned in 12% of climate segments (52 out of 435).
  • CBS mentioned fossil fuels in 18 segments.
  • ABC mentioned fossil fuels in 8 segments.
  • NBC mentioned fossil fuels in 2 segments.

Fossil fuel accountability coverage in 2024 included a segment that aired during the March 16 episode of ABC's Good Morning America, where Will Ganss followed photographers using visual activism to document climate impacts and expose the risks of oil drilling in the Bahamas. Another segment aired during the July 2 episode of CBS Evening News, with Ben Tracy reporting on the conflict between Louisiana fishermen, environmentalists, and liquefied natural gas producers over the environmental and economic consequences of expanding LNG export terminals.

With Trump's return to office in 2025, broadcast networks face a critical moment to strengthen their climate coverage. While networks have made progress connecting climate science to extreme weather events, they must move beyond treating these as seasonal, isolated incidents. The challenge now is reporting on the year-round, globally interconnected patterns that define our new climate normal.

Moving forward, broadcast coverage must thoroughly investigate how both government and industry actions shape climate solutions. Networks must systematically scrutinize fossil fuel industry influence while spotlighting successful climate initiatives and their institutional challenges. This dual focus on accountability and solutions can provide viewers a comprehensive picture of America's climate response.

Networks must also resist the temptation to focus narrowly on Trump's provocative statements instead of on their policy implications and deliver substantive reporting that helps audiences grasp the tangible effects of climate policy decisions. This requires sustained attention on how federal, state, and corporate decisions shape community outcomes across regions. 

Through reporting that connects extreme weather to climate change, investigates corporate influence on climate policies, amplifies voices from frontline communities, and holds policymakers accountable for their actions – not just their words – broadcast news can galvanize public demand for bold climate action and ensure accountability at every level of leadership.

Media Matters searched transcripts in the Nexis and SnapStream databases for ABC’s Good Morning America, GMA3, World News Tonight, and This Week; CBS Mornings, Saturday Morning, Sunday Morning, Evening News, Weekend News, and Face the Nation; NBC’s Today, Today 3rd Hour, Sunday Today, Nightly News, and Meet the Press; Fox Broadcasting Co.’s Fox News Sunday; and PBS’ NewsHour for any of the terms and any derivations of the terms “climate,” “global warming,” “global heating,” “global temperatures,” “warmer planet,” “warming planet,” “planet warms,” “warmer globe,” “warming globe,” “globe warms,” “rising temperatures,” “hotter temperatures,” “green new deal,” “emissions,” “greenhouse gases,” or “net zero” from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024.

We included any segment in which climate change was the stated topic of discussion, as well as news rundowns that included a substantial mention of climate change, which we defined as a paragraph or more of a news transcript or a block of uninterrupted speech by a host, anchor, or correspondent. We also included weather reports, which we defined as instances when climate change was mentioned in an extreme weather report by a meteorologist in front of a green screen. We also included instances of a guest mentioning climate change in a network correspondent segment if the context of the segment was clearly about a climate, energy, or environmental issue.

When counting guest appearances, we included network employees — including paid contributors and analysts — if they appeared as part of a roundtable discussion on a Sunday morning political show. We did not include teasers if they were for segments that aired later during the same program. This review does not include “person on the street” interviews, in which an unnamed person in a transcript speaks briefly as a guest; however, in previous iterations of this study, we did include “person on the street” interviewees as guests.

We timed identified segments using the Snapstream or Kinetiq video databases, or YouTube if a network posted the segment to that website.

We rounded all times to the nearest minute and all percentages to the nearest whole number.