CNN debate delivers big numbers…
CNN notes the numbers Sunday’s debate generated for the network…
CNN Delivers Most-Watched Presidential Debate of the Season
CNN’s Democratic Presidential Debate on Sunday, June 3, averaged 2.8 million total viewers - - more than any other presidential debate of this election season.
The CNN debate, co-hosted by WMUR-TV and the New Hampshire Union Leader, aired on Sunday, June 3 from 7-9pm ET. The Republican Presidential Debate airs tonight from 7-9pm ET.
CNN 6/3/07 New Hampshire Democratic Debate - 2,783k total viewers
Fox News 5/15/07 South Carolina Republican Debate - 2,551k total viewers
MSNBC 4/26/07 South Carolina Democratic Debate - 2,261k total viewers
MSNBC 5/3/07 South Carolina Republican Debate - 1,762k total viewers
CNN has more viewers than MSNBC. So, they should of won the dem debate. What will be interesting is tonights numbers and if they beat FNC’s repub debate. Too bad we can’t compare CNN’s dem debate to FNC’s.. But, I hear FNC is currently stuck in a cold front.
Comment by Terance — June 5, 2007 @ 1:25 pm
Well it must have been the high quality of the production that made more people tune in. :P
Which were still evident last night when some of them were back in their regular studios.
Comment by Mary Snow — June 5, 2007 @ 1:56 pm
Just wait Terrance and Mary. I am expecting even bigger numbers from the Fox News debate feature Kucinich, Biden, and Gravel.
Comment by elmonica — June 5, 2007 @ 2:48 pm
Mary Snow, get a grip, you’re so scary. Good God, you’re going to have a stroke or something. The popularity of these debates increase as Election Day gets nearer.
Off the island with you!
Comment by TT — June 5, 2007 @ 3:16 pm
What’s this ‘off to the island’ always with Mary Snow? I must’ve missed something in past threads. Anyway, point is taken that as the ‘election nears’ the number will get substantially higher. As I’ve said before, I think that CNN overall had a good night. The two hour format should be adopted by the other two stations, until the fields narrow.
Comment by Peoplepeople — June 5, 2007 @ 3:52 pm
The numbers will get higher as the Primary season closes in. I do think it was very smart of CNN to do a debate on Sunday. That is the reason I think they were number one. WHen you do a debate at 7ET on a weekday, many people are just getting home from work, settling in, and may or may not tune in in time. But on a Sunday, much fewer people work. If the other nets are smart, next time, they will do their debates on Sunday nights.
Comment by Randy — June 5, 2007 @ 5:05 pm
Sundays are big viewing nights, so that certainly helped CNN’s numbers.
Tonight’s ratings will be VERY interesting, as CNN has the Republican debate, and FOX counters with potential frontrunner Fred Thompson.
Comment by bigred — June 5, 2007 @ 5:10 pm
bigred: I think CNN were helped more by little competition on the broadcast networks.
Sweeps month is over, plus there was no NBA playoff game on either broadcast or cable.
Comment by Ira — June 5, 2007 @ 7:50 pm