Posted on 09/27/2008 1:29:42 PM PDT by counterpunch
The first debate between John McCain and Barack Obama is on track to pull a surprisingly average viewership number, drawing fewer households in the preliminary ratings than George W. Bush's face off against John Kerry four years ago.
In the meter-market overnights, Friday night's 90-minute debate in Mississippi received a preliminary household rating of 33.2.
That's 16% lower than the national number from the 2004 debate, which aired on a Thursday -- generally TV's most-watched night of the week. Friday's number is roughly on par with George W. Bush and Al Gore's first debate in 2000 and the Clinton-Dole debate in 1996.
The McCain-Obama rating represents 55 of the 56 largest TV viewing markets in the country and includes cable and broadcast networks. A firmer sense of the debate's popularity will be available Monday when Nielsen releases the national numbers -- including total viewers -- so the debate's rank could shift. The St. Louis market had the largest debate audience, with a household rating of 52.1, while the Phoenix/Prescott market had the lowest rating, 24.8 (top markets here). Also: PBS said their telecast of the debate earned a 1.7 HH rating.
The first 1980 bout between Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter still holds the record as the most-viewed televised presidential debate, with a 58.9 household rating and 80.6 million viewers.
Ratings expectations ran very high for Friday's event, given that Obama's and McCain's convention speeches set Nielsen viewership records, and all the will-he-or-won't-he suspense over whether McCain would participate. If last night's numbers are maintained in the nationals, most will probably blame the debate being scheduled on Friday night for the relatively average tune-in.
Media observers generally say the debate was a draw: "Few hits, no errors" says the LA Times. "Obama showed leadership, McCain proved experience," says Bloomberg. "It was clear throughout that they didn't like each other, but the new debate format kept them from ever really getting into it," says THR. "Neither candidate won," says Slate. "The big winner was America," says Forbes. Though polls by CNN and CBS gave the edge to Obama. Video highlights.
National household ratings for earlier presidential debates (each year's first debate only):
2004: Kerry-Bush: 39.4
2000: Bush-Gore: 31.7
1996: Clinton-Dole: 31.6
1992: Clinton-Bush-Perot: 38.3
1988: Bush-Dukakis: 36.8
1984: Reagan-Mondale: 45.3
1980: Carter-Reagan: 58.9
1976: Ford-Carter: 53.5
You can view them online...CSPAN.com should have them.
I know CNN.com does, but I’m not encouraging you to visit.
votes on drudge had McCain ahead 68% to 30% Ithink 300,000
voters.
It means ObamaMania is over.
It also means. there are a lot of undecideds lying about where they don’t stand.
But let’s remember, the media is to blame for creating the cult of the undecided swing voter.
Many of us recorded it so we could catch the game, then go home and watch the debates.
It means ObamaMania is over.Not necessarily...
I was really looking forward to watching the debate. I watched the first 45 minutes and I had to turn it off.
If these two clowns are the best this country can muster to run for President then we’re in deep stuff.
Dumb debated dumber. Neither has ANY FLIPPIN CLUE how we got into this financial mess or how to get out of it.
God help this country.
Whatever my feelings and disagreements with Bush these last four years, in 2004 I did like the guy and I was heavily invested in him remaining the President because of judges and the war.
I can’t stand McCain, and it’s not like I don’t know where he stands anyway on the issues. I don’t like Obama, but unlike Kerry who was funny in the way Biden can sometimes be, Obama is a bore.
I may watch Sarah and Biden’s. Because I like her and you never know what’s going to come out of Biden’s mouth.
The only surprise is that the Messiah’s followers didn’t turn out in higher number.
Exactly. And Obama knew it that's why he was hell bent on getting the national secyrity debate done..on a Friday night.
That may be the message to draw from this.
Doesn't mean many aren't still voting for him, but maybe the celeb factor is dead.
So I’m supposed to feel good about a country filled with people who cares more about HS football than the future of the nation?
Note sure if you’re aware of this but there’s some fancy new technology that allows you to RECORD a TV show and then play it back whenever you want. So you can watch a HS football game and watch the debate.
Why watch? The majority of voters minds are already made up on this election. The debates won’t change that.
The majority, yes, but there is about 14% undecided which I think is pretty high.
I think a lot of those are people who just don’t want to admit they’re not voting for 0bama.
well yes, there is that ...
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