The opening night of the Democratic National Convention drew more than 22 million TV viewers, a 20% larger audience than in 2004, according to Nielsen Media Research.
NBC drew the most viewers, pulling an average of 4.71 million viewers for its hourlong special anchored by Brian Williams, up 4% from four years ago.
Overall, the picture was even rosier for cable news networks, whose decision to devote nearly all their programming to convention coverage paid off.
All three posted major gains over 2004.
CNN averaged 4.27 million viewers, beating the broadcast networks for the first time with its convention coverage.
-- Matea Gold
