Democratic National Convention Ratings: 26 Million Watch Hillary, NBC, CNN Retain Leads

New York Times:

Hillary Rodham Clinton's address at the Democratic convention attracted almost 26 million viewers Tuesday night, according to Nielsen Media Research.

That number is up significantly from the 22 million who watched night one of the convention on ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, Fox News Channel, MSNBC, BET, and TV One, according to Nielsen.

Among the broadcast networks, NBC led with 5.98 million viewers, ABC followed with 4.76 million, and CBS had 3.82 million. A comparison with 2004 is difficult because the broadcast networks did not cover the second night of the Democratic convention that year.

Among the cable news networks, CNN again led the competition, averaging 4.80 million viewers from 10 to 11 p.m. Fox News delivered 3.48 million and MSNBC netted 2.57 million. All three cable news networks are up significantly compared with 2004.

Read the whole story: New York Times

Comments

[NicoleAnon]

I really like how to intentionally used the most unflattering picture of her - it must have taken them a long time to find it. She is actually looking great - the rabid misogynists foaming at the mouth here must be so angry about it.

And now the Republicans might elect a female VP and the Rock Star might not win so it's important to be really nasty, petty and vindictive about Clinton because it makes the people here look really bad.

[eastutican]

The only way to watch the Convention was on CSPAN. Free from all the talking heads telling me how I must understand what I see. Why do I need CNN, NBC, FOX, ABC, CBS and all the others ? I am capable of thinking for myself.

[Bulbul]

or PBS...

[wm1066]

C-Span,
PBS cut out alot of the people on stage with thier chatter.

[tbone99]

What a wild pic!

[askewedview]

Is it surprising that MSNBC and it's internal bickering are third in the ratings? On other posts, I pointed out their amatuerish coverage of turning coverage of a political convention into an ESPN College Game Day. Lunatic "fans" with their signs and cell phones,getting directions from home to maximize their face time, wind in the microphones, Mathews turning his head to minimize the combover effect,and so many other unprofessional network production miscues. It's an embarrassing situation that,as I expected, Fox News would pick up on. Heads should roll at MSNBC for these production decisions.

Sorry about that editorial on my part as my original comment was to ask Chris Mathews, after his oration of Obama and his speakers being able to connect with the general public ,then he asks Brokaw..."What do you think of this PANOPOLY OF GRANDUER?"­......Just WHO is not in touch with their audience?

[eastutican]

Why do you bother watching any network other than the talking head-free CSPAN ?

[rigormrtis]

check out how large her thighs are.......

[olivia]

Since she is a woman yours will be interpreted as a sexist comment.

(Give her a break, she looks fantastic for 60.)

[GaiusLucilius]

I agree it's sexist--and I'm Obama all the way. I value Hillary for her mind and heart, even if I didn't vote for her, I will NOT disrespect someone who tries.

Keep to comments of substance, let's do.

[tbone99]

Made for comfort , not for speed ...

[wagadog]

Look out! It's the Orange Pantsuit salute!

Hiel Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!

[olivia]

I found the color curious. Few people can wear it. It looked ok on her, thanks to expert makeup.

Then I read on a PUMA blog that the PUMAs believe that color signified solidarity with them. They were in Denver decked out in orange T-shirts and orange balloons.

They also pointed out the "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pantsuits" is a PUMA invention, and they believed her "never give up" spiel was for them also.

I hope the PUMAs are wrong and this is untrue. I want to keep the positive image of Hillary that I have after her beautiful performance at the nomination.

[hudsuckerproxy]

It's my understanding they chose orange because it worked well against the blueness of the convention's TV backdrop.

[dmwebb1972]

Who is driving this "analysis"? MSNBC gives up a lot of viewers to its parent (which is LEADING the ratings). Fixed News has no such drain. Nor does CNN. Let's compare apples to apples...

[MariaHopeful]

More people may have watched CNN and Fox, but simply HATE the coverage. They can crow all they want but they are not getting high marks.

[Kally]

26 million and 3 at least I watched, no body counted me, my oldest son watched and a friend of mine watched. gee just think of all those that did and were not counted.

And the DNC stuck it's head up obama butt early on...MISTAKE.

[filo]

They left CSPAN out of the ratings. I'm sure there would be many millions more if they were included. If I wasn't watching CSPAN I would have missed Dennis Kucinich's great speech.

[1dogs2]

You would have missed more than that. I'm an Olbermann fan, but I got pretty sick of hearing on all the cable channels that there was "no red meat" at the convention at the very time that some "red meat" speeches were being delivered. C-span and PBS (most of the time) were the only places one could see and hear what was happening and judge for oneself rather than being subjected to someone else's judgment about what to broadcast (or not) and inanities that were contradicted by what was actually happening even as the inanities were being uttered.

[olivia]

I cannot stand the pundits anymore so I watch these speeches later over the internet.

[daddydamon]

I will never understand why these networks get the viewers. PBS shows the speeches with no commentary. It's as if many Americans need to be told what to think, what's important, et cetera. We are force fed opinion as fact. If I ever take Couric's or Stephanopolous's word as fact, I'm truly lost.

[candyc]

Discovering the TV1 and CSpan coverage has been such a blessing!

[lissak]

I am a MSNBC fan, but have watched either C-SPAN or PBS during the convention. Last night, I flipped and they talked throughout Kerry's speech. What did they have to say that was more important? Just like Mac.....more of the same.

And that outside news booth has been a disaster.

[longislandlol]

I agree- the best- most naturally gifted commentators are the NBC's pantheons-- ABC's commentators on Monday night seemed stiff- rigid-- out of touch-- George S. looks and sounds tentative-- Diane needs to chill more-- Gibson-- needs a good nap in the afternoons-- whereas-- the brilliant Mitchell, Todd, Brokaw, Olbermann, Williams, O'Donnell, Matthews and that chip off the old block Luke Russert; they truly know how to deliver the commentary in a relaxed manner--

[PAposter]

Not to mention Fox...I too watched the coverage on C-SPAN. I wanted to see the speeches uninterrupted, and all the other cool stuff, like music and the roll call. This is what makes the convention fun, and interesting.

[Ifeomamn]

The reason MSNBC is distant 3rd is because in most markets, it does not come with the basic programming. You have to pay extra to get it.

[jhill3rd]

Exactly!! I love how this is always conveniently "left out" of the ratings equation. John Amato over at Crooks & Liars says he doesn't even get MSNBC in his hotel room in Denver.

[Triangle1]

Wouldn't it be embarrassing if Hillary's night received bigger numbers than Obama's night? Any bounce, which from what I can see isn't happening at all, will be erased when McCain announces his VP candidate on Friday. http://mespace.wordpress.com

[daddydamon]

That supposes that anyone cares about McCain.

[THEhillbilly]

That was one really dumb remark. Did you have any idea what Triangle1 meant by "bounce"? Are you even vaguely aware of the fact that polls are now showing that more people favor McCain than favor the democrats' grandiloquent, done-nothing rhetorician? Obama thralls are defecting in droves, for lots of reasons. Just for one example, I've heard a few former groupies saying, "Why is it that the only thing he says about his 'change' catchword is that we can believe in it? What the hell change is he yapping about?" People are beginning to wake up. Wake up.

[jinjinpinti]

Blah, blah, blah. Blah, blah,blah, blah..........get a load of me.....blah, blah blah~ Chris Matthews

[jinjinpinti]

MSNBC= Stuck in the eighties!"

[JadedAggie]

Could be worse......Fox news = stuck in the 1880s.

[jsinclair]

Doesn't Hillary DESERVE a better picture?

[Outofnowhere]

I like that picture. She looks totally uninhibited and happy. She even pulls that pants suit off.