CNN debate scores large audience
(CNN) - The CNN Western Republican Debate Tuesday in Las Vegas drew 5.5 million viewers, according to data released Wednesday.
The numbers were enough to put CNN in the number-one spot Tuesday night among cable news networks from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Among the key demographic of 25-54-year-olds, CNN's debate was also the number one rated program, drawing 1.6 million viewers.
The data was provided by the Nielsen organization.
Online, CNN also saw impressive figures, delivering more than 600,000 live streams of the debate. The hashtag #CNNDebate was trending internationally during the hours of the debate as well.
The debate, moderated by Anderson Cooper, featured testy exchanges between the candidates on issues like immigration, health care, and taxes.
CNN is currently slated to host three more debates in the primary election season: a foreign-policy themed event in November, a debate in Arizona in December, and a Florida debate in January.
From CNN Politics
- Michigan GOP faces backlash for tweet tying gun reform to Holocaust
- 10 Cards Charging 0% Interest Until 2024
- Record-breaking Wisconsin Supreme Court race could decide abortion rights and 2024 rules in key battleground
- 'No legitimate basis' for 2021 DOJ memo on school board threats, House GOP alleges in new report
- Untitled
- Unclear if NY hush money grand jury will meet Thursday as Trump legal drama reaches fever pitch
Hmm ... 5.5 million viewers? This is the same amount of viewers that have been following the debates so far. This is a pretty insignificant number CNN.
"CNN debate scores large audience"
Translation: CNN psyched about the amount of ad revenue generated hosting yet another pointless, mindless, talking point laden attack ad circus GOP presidential campaign infomercial.
You would think everyone would want to see a circus. This school yard brawl should have been watched by 100 million. Thanks to CNN for their efforts to make classy.
I was a 'new viewer.' I only watched because there was some buzz on CNN.com beforehand, claiming they would ask a lot about the Occupy protests.
Big surprise, CNN did nothing of the sort. One related question to which like three people made a response. And of course, CNN did not ask anything about marijuana legalization.
Y'all are worse than the politicians. srsly.
The 10/18/11 Republican debate provided some interesting observations, with one being that four of the candidates really didn’t even belong up there. Bachman (“all noise”), constantly just faulted Obama and used the pronoun “I” to excess in attempting to create hype without offering anything else. Perry (“shifty”), really gave the impression that you simply can’t trust him and that there simply is no substance there. Cain (“the suit”), left you wondering if he ever really thinks before he says or presents anything. Santorum (“the kid”), leaves you feeling that he actually needs more experience and maturity.
Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul were the individuals who seemed to have the mental poise and general knowledge that could be considered of presidential quality – each with there own perspective. Mitt, with well rounded experience; Newt, with working knowledge about federal government; and Ron, with presenting his different approach.
One observation is that “conservative” v “liberal” is only the hype used to excite people but what is meaningful and important is real representation for “the people” and not just for “the money”. It should be remembered that with the hype and deception put aside, in contrast to a lot of what they say, not everything is Obama’s fault, not even close. Obama actually inherited the problems and did not cause them; while he hasn’t been successful in solving them, the Republicans have also stubbornly and arrogantly put their political ambitions above all else, at any cost to the people, and have just firmly withheld any bipartisan cooperation; Bush-Cheney contributed heavily to all of the problems with their irresponsible self-serving pursuit of a private agenda to greatly benefit only the few, while giving the majority only apathy, the costs and an abundance of subterfuge to rationalize and deceive; and there are many in the Republican Party, candidates and strong supporters, who really just want to return to “more of the same”, Bush-Cheney style, without any conscience for what it costs the people. None of these issues are ever addressed in the debates or directly by the candidates.
The point being, whether Republican or Democrat, we need improvement; we want the problems solved and need responsible representatives working together to address and resolve the problems and not just offering hype to rationalize a return to “more of the same”, Bush-Cheney style, or to have continued ineffectiveness, whether because of incompetence or as being the result of self-serving rejection of bipartisanship. The people, the voters have to see through the intentional hype and subterfuge and objectively and rationally, with emotions checked, find where the real hope is. Loyalty to a Party just makes that effort much harder.
I was really sad that no questions regarding the desire to destroy the EPA and the effect that would have on the
environment were asked. Dirty air, dirty water, the absolute destruction of pristine lands if Perry's "drill everywhere" mentality comes to fruition would be devastating. The idea that "nothing could happen" due to today's
technology is stupid thinking. How many oil spills does it take to wake us up? You don't have to be a "tree
hugger" to respect the land we live off of, respect the animals who were put here for a reason, or to enjoy
breathing clean air. If these are lost, the other problems become moot.
Good. This means over five (5) million people laughed, cried and decided to vote FOR Obama. They NOW know getting a republican in the White House is hopeless.
I wanted to tell REG in AZ how much I appreciated his wise and thoughtful comments. It's time for Americans think for themselves and quit allowing politicians, and those who fund them, to pit us against each other with half-truths, misleading statements, inflamatory language, and out right lies. Thanks.
Thank-you for putting them on display. It made my party a hit.
I didn't like the format. You wanted to have the candidates bickering. I was not impressed the Anderson Cooper could not and would not control the evening. Again I did not think it was a good as the past debates. CNN I am ashamed of you!
Geee... that many? I guess I missed another circle of mass debaters.
Funny how Perry, when they stood[tried to] infront of their podium,Perry looked like he was practicing the Texas 2 step or he just messed in his pants. talk about someone out of his element he appears to be star struck, and his trying to look like he belongs in the debate he comes off as a scared cat at a dogs birthday party.
Maybe they will all meet at "High Noon" at the OK Corrall for one final showdown.
The more exposure to the nation of these candidates the better. Obama will win by default. Thank God the world doesn't have to watch these clowns. They( the world) would be very concerned about our sanity . This is the best we have to offer?? I think not. Sane republicans are sitting on the sidelines wondering about the cost to gain a majority in congress. Going to bed with the tea party has not quite turned out as they had hoped. Now It's sink or swim.
Maybe if it would have been better publicised you would have had 10 times as many viewers. Also, it might be a good idea to re-broadcast it a few times over the next couple of days for those of us who missed it.
This debate reminded me of school on a holiday, NO CLASS!
I was very disappointed in Anderson Cooper at last nights debate. He had no control at all of the situation. In fact, he looked as if he was entertained by the confrontation between Mitt Romney and Rick Perry. I expected much better from Anderson.
@reg
You make excellent points. It's really shameful that a man or woman has to lower their discussions to that a 3rd grader could understand. These candidates must know more than they're telling ....Please?
Congrats to CNN.
This could have been moderated better. I stopped watching part way through because it didn't have enough time for the lower ranked candidates. There was also little that Anderson Cooper did to keep the apparent anger between the candidates from being obvious. I would have hoped that he was more forceful in keeping time for the candidates.
There is no longer a two party system but one rich group controlling both parties. That is why nothing changes. The rich are profitting very well from the wars, moving companies offshore, bailing out their own companies and banks with taxpayer money, and then WeThePeople are told We have spent this money and are in debt. This group is using our troops to invade foreign lands while paying off the MSM to ignore everything they do. For this next election, the elite will give large amounts of campaign contributions to those who will tax WeThePeople even more! This will destroy the middle class. But Ron Paul is attempting to change the death of our liberty and freedoms. Wake up people. The hour is now.