CBS, on the other hand, had a rough start to the DNC. Across all networks, Nielsen estimates a total 25.7 million viewers tuned in.
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Viewers chose cable news over broadcast TV for coverage of the Republican National Convention last week, with the Nielsen Top 20 claiming eight cable programs focused on the GOP confab. CNN delivered 5.1 million total viewers in prime, and 1.7 million in adults 25-54, while MSNBC was at 3.7 million (1.1 million in the demo) and Fox News Channel at 3.7 million (and 858,000).
CNN was in front with 6.2 million viewers.
However, it was CNN that notched the biggest victory.
In Orlando, the top hours were on Fox News Channel: “The O’Reilly Factor” with 104,299 viewers and “The Kelly File” with 93,119. After that, ION Television had 1.2 million, and the CW had 890,000 viewers. The network brought 2.2 million in the key news demographic.
Primetime averages for the week of July 11-17 in adults 18-49 are: NBC, 1.2 rating, 5 share; ABC, 0.8/3; CBS, 0.8/3; Fox, 0.7/3; and CW, 0.2/1. This year will play out a little differently, with the convention lasting four days. The network averaged about 6.4 million viewers in the 10 p.m. EDT hour on the first night, when Donald Trump’s wife Melania Trump and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani spoke.
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CNN highlighted that it was up 70 percent in total viewers from the first night of Democratic National Convention in 2012. Details on cable viewership will arrive later. Bernie Sanders, both of which had followed what was by far the night’s most talked about address, by First Lady Michelle Obama. It follows a RNC that many called out for an uninspired roster of speakers. Rankings among those shows in adults 18-49 were: Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s “Talent”, tied for #1; Monday’s “American Ninja Warrior”, #5; Monday, Wednesday and Thursday Convention coverage, tied for #14, Tuesday’s Convention coverage, #19 and Thursday’s season finale of “Spartan”, tied for #20. Fox’s best was “So You Think You Want to Dance” with 2.6 million.
