NBC 5 beats ABC 7 in key Chicago election night TV ratings

By the numbers: NBC 5 averaged 79,043 viewers ages 25–54 during primetime election coverage from 7–10pm, compared with ABC 7's 73,002.

• NBC 5 also led the demographic at 10pm, averaging 71,642 viewers compared with ABC's 68,217.

Yes, but: ABC 7 led in total households during primetime election coverage.

Meanwhile: ABC 7's election-night coverage came amid a shakeup at the station. Longtime anchor Ravi Baichwal was absent from the coverage, and the station confirmed his departure after 20 years.

• ABC 7 said Baichwal had "moved on following the conclusion of his contract," but offered little additional explanation.
• His exit came shortly after a social media influencer publicly accused him of alleged inappropriate behavior at a River North bar.
• Baichwal's Instagram account, which was accessible after the allegations surfaced, has since been disabled.

The other side: Baichwal did not respond to multiple requests for comment. ABC 7 did not respond to questions from Axios about the allegations.

What's next: Speculation is already swirling over who will replace Baichwal. Longtime weekend anchor Mark Rivera is filling in.