Archive for Thursday, October 09, 2008
For many, debate was must-see TV
The Nashville event garnered more than 63 million viewers, making it the ninth-most-watched presidential debate since audience tracking began in 1960. ABC again came out on top.
The second matchup between John McCain and Barack Obama proved a strong draw with television viewers Tuesday night. More than 63 million people tuned in to watch the debate, a sizable increase over the 52.4 million who watched their first forum Sept. 26.
That makes Tuesday’s Nashville event the ninth-most-watched presidential debate since Nielsen Media Research started tracking the audience in 1960. But the presidential candidates couldn’t match the interest level in their running mates, Sarah Palin and Joe Biden, who garnered 69.9 million viewers Oct. 2 for their sole debate.
A dozen television networks have been airing the presidential debates live, and so far, ABC seems to be the preferred choice. For the third debate in a row, the network had a bigger audience than its broadcast and cable counterparts, averaging 13.2 million viewers.
ABC’s post-debate analysis also was the biggest draw, with an average of 9.92 million viewers.
NBC placed second with its coverage of the 90-minute forum, garnering 10.86 million viewers, while CBS had 9.44 million.
Once again, the cable networks weren’t far behind. CNN had the largest audience, averaging 9.23 million viewers, while Fox News followed with 8.77 million and MSNBC with 3.77 million.
–
Matea Gold
Save/Share:
- First AME pastor apologizes to congregation for alleged misspending
- Stress reduction: Why you need to get a grip and how
- Ways to relieve stress
- Schwarzenegger declares fiscal emergency
- Civic leaders press Brewer to leave L.A. Unified
- U.S. recession could last into 2010
- An ugly attack on Mormons
- Broader medical refusal rule may go far beyond abortion
- Two worlds collide as lawyer fights for inmate husband
- Nationalize GM
- Edison's rooftop solar project powers up
- An ugly attack on Mormons
- Civic leaders press Brewer to leave L.A. Unified
- Pete Carroll has NFL options, but none of them ideal
- Pirates fire on U.S. cruise ship in hijack attempt
- Pakistan, India assert right to self-defense
- GM, Ford, other automakers post steep November sales declines
- Obama seeks to assure nervous governors on economy
- JPMorgan Chase to cut 9,200 jobs at Washington Mutual Bank
- Nationalize GM
