Once again, the Fox News Channel attracted more viewers than CNN and MSNBC combined during the second presidential debate on Tuesday, during both prime time debate coverage and the debate itself.
Despite snapping the cable news juggernaut’s streak of topping NBC and ABC in previous debates, the 11.1 million viewers FNC attracted on Tuesday beat the network’s totals from previous debates this year, as well as tying its ratings from the 2008 vice presidential debate between Joe Biden and Sarah Palin.
Number below, courtesy of Nielsen Media Research:
9:00-10:30PM (debate coverage)
FNC: 11,102,117 in total viewers (3,455,243 in 25-54)
CNN: 5,770,449 in total viewers (2,583,272 in 25-54)
MSNBC: 4,876,967 in total viewers (1,913,571 in 25-54)8:00-11:00PM (primetime coverage)
FNC: 9,000,869 in total viewers (2,687,147 in 25-54)
CNN: 4,343,325 in total viewers (1,896,333 in 25-54)
MSNBC: 3,884,487 in total viewers (1,489,602 in 25-54)Broadcast Fast Nationals 9-10:39PM:
NBC: 13,817,973 in P2+ (6,831,866)
ABC: 12,463,912 in P2+ (4,707,324)
CBS: 8,921,671 in P2+ (3,613,429)