RNC Ratings Night Three: Romney Results In Ratings Rise, Only FNC Retains Viewership Compared to 2008

By Alex Weprin 

Night three of the Republican National Committee culminated in a speech from GOP nominee Mitt Romney, and the ratings rose accordingly.

As was the case during the first two nights of the RNC, Fox News Channel was the most watched TV news outlet, besting the broadcast networks from 10-11PM. Last night, however, the gap between FNC and its competitors was even wider, as it topped the next two networks, NBC and ABC, combined in total viewers. Every outlet except NBC improved on its Tuesday night ratings in both total viewers and the adults 25-54 demo.

Compared to the final night of the 2008 RNC it was a different story however. Fox News was just about flat compared to 2008, losing around -2% of its viewership, while NBC (-56%), ABC (-26%), CBS (-30%), CNN (-52%)and MSNBC (-25%) were down mid double digits.

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From 10-until around 11:20PM, when all of the networks were televising the RNC, Fox News averaged 9.06 million total viewers, including 2.56 million adults 25-54. ABC News overtook NBC for the number two slot, averaging 4.44 million viewers including 1.61 million adults 25-54. NBC was next with 3.85 million viewers, including 1.46 million adults 25-54, followed by CBS with 3.73 million viewers, including 1.51 million adults 25-54. CNN drew 2.33 million total viewers and 903,838 adults 25-54, with MSNBC bringing in 1.88 million viewers, including 625,712 adults 25-54.

From 8-11 PM, FNC averaged 6.61 million total viewers, including 1.63 million adults 25-54. CNN averaged 1.66 million viewers, including 580,648 adults 25-54, and MSNBC brought in 1.57 million total viewers and 464,809 adults 25-54.

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