ABC’s “Good Morning America” has moved within striking distance of NBC’s “Today,” adding to the pressure on the top-rated morning show to give co-anchor Matt Lauer a fat raise.
In the final week of February sweeps, “GMA” was just 164,000 viewers shy of “Today” — the slimmest total viewer margin in nearly five years.
NBC notched 5.53 million viewers in the week ended Feb. 27, while ABC was just a hair’s breath behind with 5.36 million. CBS’s “The Early Show” came in third with 2.59 million viewers.
In the key 25- to 54-year-old category, NBC drew a 2.1 rating, while ABC delivered a 1.8 and CBS was 0.9.
Typically, that last week in February gives “GMA” its best shot at beating “Today” as viewers are tuned to ABC’s Academy Awards broadcast the night before.
ABC also announced the line-up for “Dancing with the Stars,” which gave the morning show another boost.
The gains of “GMA” come as NBC looks to seal a deal that would extend Lauer’s contract another two years.
Lauer, whose current deal pays him around $17 million a year, is said to be asking for $30 million a year.
“Since Katie [Couric] left the gap has been closing,” said Gary Carr, executive director of national broadcast at media-buying firm TargetCast. “The possibility of Matt [Lauer] leaving could be a big change.”
NBC has also been holding talks with Ryan Seacrest about a role on the show.
An NBC spokeswoman declined to comment.
Lauer is set to address advertisers next Thursday, prompting speculation that a contract extension will be announced.
Lauer is considered key to the success of “Today,” which has been the No. 1 morning show for 16 years running.
The ratings juggernaut earned NBC an estimated $443.5 million through the first nine months of 2011, according to the latest data from ad tracker Kantar Media.