Vice Presidential Debate Ratings: 69.9 Million Total, ABC, Fox News Win, MSNBC Tanks

Update: The final numbers are in: 69.9 million viewers watched the Vice Presidential debate, making it the most watched debate since 1992 and the most watched VP debate ever. From The Hollywood Reporter's James Hibberd:

Thursday's highly anticipated face-off between Alaska governor Sarah Palin and Delaware senator Joe Biden was the most-watched debate in 16 years

[Thursday] night's event was seen by 69.9 million viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research.

That's the most-viewed debate -- presidential or vp -- since the second round of Bill Clinton, Ross Perot and George Bush debating in 1992 (which also received 69.9 million).

Thursday's event was 33% higher than Friday's debate between John McCain and Barack Obama. It's 61% higher than the 2004 debate between Dick Cheney and John Edwards, and ranks 8% higher than the former most-watched vp debate record holder -- the 1984 match between George Bush and Geraldine Ferrarro.

Cable Ratings: Fox News had its highest rated telecast ever Thursday night, drawing 11.1 million viewers for the Vice Presidential debate (from 9:01 pm-10:33 pm Eastern time).

CNN came in second with 10.7 million viewers, while MSNBC came in a distant third with 4.4 million viewers.

The Vice presidential debate replaced George Bush's Presidential Address from March 19, 2003, which drew 9.7 million viewers, as the network's highest rated telecast in its 12-year history.

Fox News also saw its highest prime-time average ever: it averaged 9.2 million viewers from 8-11pm.

CNN won the coveted Adults 25-54 demographic, averaging 4.5 million to Fox's 3.8 million and MSNBC's 1.9 million viewers.

Network Ratings: On the networks, ABC took the top spot, averaging 13.1 million viewers for the VP debate. NBC came in second with 12.82 million, while CBS came in third with 11.1 million viewers.

ABC also won the post-debate analysis (10:37 pm-11:00 pm Eastern), drawing 9.8 million viewers to NBC's 9.6 million and CBS' 8.0 million.

Final Numbers (total viewers):
ABC: 13,130,000
NBC: 12,820,000
CBS: 11,100,000
Fox News: 11,098,000
CNN: 10,685,000
MSNBC: 4,412,000

Comments

[CranialRectalLoopback]

Does anyone know how MSNBC faired compared to the first debate? Ever since they caved and sent Olbermann into the dog house and Tweedy into the hen house, a put David Huckleberry in charge, I can't stand watching MSNBC.

[MNmommy]

How come they never include the C-Span numbers?

[libratine]

Joe Biden moved more uncommitted voters to Obama than Palin did for McCain. So did Barack after the last round. Score 2 out of 2 . Way to go Joe!!! These guys are a class act. Obama/Biden are keeping their promise! Let's help keep them up the pressure.

Obama supporters are contributing $16 as a gift and a nod to the Obama's 16th wedding anniversary tonight! Pass it on exponentially to 10 people or 10 posts and on different sites too!

https://donate.barackobama.com/page/contribute/main

[americanalien]

Excellent post, highly recommended!

[rubberneck]

This just proves that MSNBC really sucks. Only thing worth watching is morning joe.

[Obama4Life]

Can't believe so many people absorb they trash the Faux News spews out. This proves this country is really stupid.

However, despite adsorbing all that drivel they still thought Biden won the debate, at least that's sort of good.

btw MSNBC is a relatively new network, the fact its in contending with CNN and Faux who have been around for ages should be applauded.

I still think most of the people who broadcast for Faux News should be fired. They really should be more fair, just my opinion.

[Voting Must Happen]

Checkout my piece on Youth Voter Registration. For every 100 registered voters aged 18-24, the democrats accrue a 9 vote advantage.
http://voteforamerica.net/editorials/Comments.aspx?ArticleId=85&ArticleName=Youth+Vote%3a+The+Power+of+Registration

VP Debate Live Analysis
http://voteforamerica.net/editorials/Comments.aspx?ArticleId=86&ArticleName=VP+Debate%3a+Live+Analysis

Checkout my piece on Youth Voter Registration. For every 100 registered voters aged 18-24, the democrats accrue a 9 vote advantage.
http://voteforamerica.net/editorials/Comments.aspx?ArticleId=85&ArticleName=Youth+Vote%3a+The+Power+of+Registration

Oct 3 Polling Update
http://voteforamerica.net/editorials/Comments.aspx?ArticleId=87&ArticleName=Poll+Update+(10%2f3)

Obama 355, McCain 183
http://voteforamerica.net/electoral.aspx

[BassCat]

Ya that's a real ass-set isn't it. When they actually hafta get up offa they're arse and go to work
I'm guessing they'll become Republicans! Vote Republican, everyone can't be on welfare!

[dajay]

All I need to know is that MSNBC tanked in their ratings and did dead last.

Ahh, payback is a b**tch. Maybe you guys should have behaved yourselves during the primary and held back on your Obama butt kissing and Hillary bashing a little bit.

How does it feel to be big losers, Keith O and Chris M, David Schuster, and the rest of the white, empty suits on that network.

[texaslonghorn]

I thought Palin did an excellent job!!! She showed how important it is to connect with voters. Biden definitely has her on experience, just like McCain has Obama on experience. I felt reassured that we will have someone in offce as VP that is a straight shooter. I would love to see another debate by these 2, but the next debate will be exciting I am sure!

[ralph10]

Oh boy.

[Hare]

A shout out to your horns, wink wink. I Betcha ya believe every darn good lie I said last night. Like how I care for the Genocide in Sudan, and we gonna give away money for yar morgage. Lipstick bulldog Palin

[DilemaFl]

I watched it on CNN because its in HD

I then watched the post analysis on MSNBC

[Agent420]

How many people watched it on CSPAN?

[spaghettidinner]

David Gregory is a sock puppet. They took Olbermann and Matthews away and now one cared to listen. If they hadn't they would have beat Fox.

[americanalien]

I agree, msnbc is paying a big price (literally) for holding back our hero Keith Olbermann. We say let our hero go and let him speak for America.

[nowise]

I watched it on PBS...

[thaggas]

I would have watched it on MSNBC but on the super cheap cable package that I have, I only get CNN. Sorry MSNBC.

[Jaqu]

It's clear that network television is not what it's used to be; not too long ago, it would have been unthinkable for a cable channel to come so close to the big three networks. Anyway, pretty impressive numbers all around; and if it wasn't for MSNBC, CNN would have easily beaten Fox News. They simply have the advantage of being without competition on the right.

[blueshield]

Is it too late to get John Stewart to moderate the next one?