Sarah Palin scores huge viewership at RNC

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's highly anticipated speech at the Republican National Convention on Wednesday night nearly matched the record-setting numbers of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.

Palin pulled in 37.2 million viewers across broadcast and cable networks, according to Nielsen Media Research.

That's 55% higher than Day 3 of the DNC, when her Democratic counterpart, Joe Biden, and President Clinton took the stage (24 million).

It's also up a sharp 99% from the Republican convention's third day in 2004 (18.7 million) and easily bests the numbers viewers attracted by George W. Bush when he accepted the nomination (27.6 million). In fact, it came close to upsetting Obama's historic address last Thursday -- the most-watched convention speech in history (38.4 million viewers).

Palin's viewership is up 73% from Tuesday's RNC tally, when 21.5 million tuned in to see President Bush and independent Sen. Joe Lieberman endorse nominee John McCain. The event also drew more female viewers than Hillary Clinton's speech last week.

Palin has been beset by controversy since McCain shocked Beltway insiders by appointing the relatively little-known governor as his vice presidential pick. Her Wednesday night speech was presented as an opportunity to address her skeptics.

Reaction to Palin's speech was very positive: "Sarah Palin's perfect premiere" ... "connects with people in a way few politicians can" ... "Palin was stunning" ... "Palin sets high bar for McCain" ... as some have noted,  the AP says some lines in the speech didn't pass their fact check. Here's the speech and video.

UPDATE: Cable news network estimates show Fox News is out in front with 9.2 million viewers (from 10 to 11:15 p.m.), followed by CNN with 6.2 million and MSNBC with 3.4 million. Note CNN won last week when the Democrats were on stage, and Fox News has been taking the lead now that the Republicans are having their turn. CNN and Fox News also bested the broadcasters in the adult demo. From 10 to 11 p.m., NBC had 7.7 million, CBS had 4.9 million and ABC had 5.9 million.

This was the third-highest telecast ever in the history of Fox News (only other two that were higher was a Bush address re: Iraq in '03 and a debate in '04).

Also, PBS just chimed in to say 3.2 million watched on their network, which brings Palin's total viewership on ad-supported and public airwaves to more than 40 million. (Getting questions about this, PBS isn't ad supported and isn't counted by Nielsen in the same way, so one normally tries to avoid mixing the two).

Read all of THR's convention coverage

Comments

[SAM]

I tried very hard to watch the rnc I just couldn't they were so boring. same old republican BS put fear in the people bs they don't believe in country #1 If they did we would not still be in Iraq and so many of our American family dying needlessly. Sarah maybe a bulldog in lipstick alright that says alot about her. I don't think this woman have any selfcontrol. FOOD FO THOUGH IF MCCAIN DIE SHE'S GOING TO BE YOUR PRISEDENT THINK ABOUT THAT.

[greg]

Memo to all AFRAID of Obama:
And that is, afterall, all the failed GOP has to offer: FEAR

Let us review:
WMD
Gays
Terrorists (real or not)
Liberals
Latinos
Welfare Mothers
Hmmm what is next?
SMART BLACK MAN!

If there is any real definition of a Republican anymore it is that are always AFRAID.
It is time to have some courage people. I'd love to be able to go to Europe, Egypt and other places I work and not have to make excuses for the FAILURE that this adminstraion has brought. I am losing money (making money was the only reason I voted for W 2x- may God forgive me).
We have lost face to the rest of he world. They think we are all stupid to vote for Bush, and now this woman for VP. I thought we couldn't get any worse than Big Dick.. (interesting that the Dixie Chicks were right in the end- They are so embarassed that they had to send George to Washington and Dick out of the country during the convention)
I have decided there is enough back-up for "the black guy" as he was described to me in Atlanta yesterday, that he will be fine. And if there is one thing I am sure of- my children wont be fighting in a war of lies with him. We have many resources available to rule the world- we just need smart people who are not always AFRAID in the White House.

John McCain, more of the same? Which means failure with the 6 figure guys on my golf course (Not Rich according to John- but we are okay) I am headed there now...
Enjoy your weekend guys.

God's peace from Las Vegas!
greg

[greg]

Memo to all AFRAID of Obama:
And that is, afterall, all the failed GOP has to offer: FEAR

Let us review:
WMD
Gays
Terrorists (real or not)
Liberals
Latinos
Welfare Mothers
Hmmm what is next?
SMART BLACK MAN!

If there is any real definition of a Republican anymore it is that are always AFRAID.
It is time to have some courage people. I'd love to be able to go to Europe, Egypt and other places I work and not have to make excuses for the FAILURE that this adminstraion has brought. I am losing money (making money was the only reason I voted for W 2x- may God forgive me).
We have lost face to the rest of he world. They think we are all stupid to vote for Bush, and now this woman for VP. I thought we couldn't get any worse than Big Dick.. (interesting that the Dixie Chicks were right in the end- They are so embarassed that they had to send George to Washington and Dick out of the country during the convention)
I have decided there is enough back-up for "the black guy" as he was described to me in Atlanta yesterday, that he will be fine. And if there is one thing I am sure of- my children wont be fighting in a war of lies with him. We have many resources available to rule the world- we just need smart people who are not always AFRAID in the White House.

John McCain, more of the same? Which means failure with the 6 figure guys on my golf course (Not Rich according to John- but we are okay) I am headed there now...
Enjoy your weekend guys.

God's peace from Las Vegas!
greg

[Sami]

HILARIOUS POST, AND I TOTALLY AGREE!!!

"Palin rocks! So Obama and her are now 1 and 1. She has almost as many viewers as him and he has almost as much experience as her. LOL

Posted by: Cory | September 04, 2008 at 12:46 PM "

[Sami]

Since Black Entertainment Television carried Obama's speech but not Palin's -- and since we're not allowed to have a White Entertainment Television station -- Palin wasn't as fully accessible as Obama.

[Michelle]

I have a great big problem, please help.
I am both Black And Female. Who to vote for is causing me great anxt! The African American in me has always wanted to vote for Obama. But NOW the Woman in me REALLY, REALLY wants to vote for McCain/Palin!!
As my two daughters ages 7 & 11 will grow into women,, a vote for McCain would be a vote for them.
Here's my problem: Do marriage vows oblige me to vote for my spouse??

[Brian]

You state that her viewership is almost as big as Obama's and at the end of the article you say with PBS it brings to over 40,000,000 which exceeds Obama, what gives?

[loves america]

To John U.

barack wrote most of the speech himself in a hotel room? what by candlelight with a feather pen?

come on - who told you that???? chris matthews - while the tingle was going up his leg or maybe
maureen dowd of the new york times?

david axelrod and his cronies wrote the speech. give
us a break!

[Elizabeth]

"of course some people watched! We dont know who the hell she is!? And she's a potential VP!" People know less about the man running for president, shows how ignorant you are.

[john u]

to greg:

why do you have to go over seas and make excuses for
america? we are still the most generous and the
most free country in the world. why do we always worry about what other countries think of us????

yes there were and still are terrorists and wmd's.
believe it or not.

the republicans have done more for the blacks than
the democrats - remember martin luther king was a republican and robert byrd was kkk. but you don't here any of that.

also - welfare moms - why should i work hard every day to support someone who doesn't want to work. the poor in this coutry? i bet they have at least 1 tv
and a car (probably a play station or 2)

i guess like obama you probably think we need to speak 2 languages or else we are an embarrasment to the world.

as far as the dixie chicks - i'd take charlie daniels over the chicks any day. who cares what celebrities say - they are no different than you or me. you seem to worry alot about what others think of the USA. i think our history shows that we are the free-est and most generous country that ever was.

so tired of people bashing america - if it's so bad go live elsewhere. if its so bad - why are so many people trying to get here legally or illegally?

[loves america]

doug - i like you - you think like i do.

hitler was a racist - are you sure obama isn't? he
read and hung out with a lot of people who professed "black rage" and followed liberation theology. Rev. wright, louis ferrakan, malcom x were some of obama's heroes/mentors.

[political blogger]

She's a conservative superstar which is just want the conservatives needed.

[political blogger]

She's a conservative superstar which is just want the conservatives needed.

[roschelle]

Lies, lies, and hyprocrisy! This woman has become more popular in less than a week than Obama and McCain. What does that say about the American People?...wow...

[Chris]

to greg:

"Hmmm what is next?
SMART BLACK MAN!"

Hey Greg, Senator Biden called.
He's accusing you of plagiarism.

[john personal trainers Austin]

Sounds like the leftists are scared of Sarah. There is an air of desperation in their attacks. 16 governors were elected to the office of President; two senators were elected to the office of President. TR was two years a governor, as was Grover Cleveland. John Edwards had 17 months of experience as an elected official when he was nominated as the VP candidate. Barack made the keynote address to the democratic convention in 2004; at the time he was just a state senator. What justifies that? Sarah has more than enough experience.

[johnathon]

Obama will make everything great! He is a rock star. Isn't about time we gave the keys of the oval office to someone with the moral authority of Barack. His accomplishments are very deep and extensive. He can give some of the most inspiring speeches that one can listen to. There is only one other political personality that could draw the get the German people that excited about change!!! Das Neo Fuher is here.

[vladimir]

We Russians are very excited about the prospects of a B. Obama presidency. Then we will face no, repeat no opposition. We will take whatever we want!!!
Go Obama/Biden in 08

[joan durtz]

You conservative sheep are so easily misled. Sarah Palin is a fraud. And a complete moron who is no where qualified to run this country. McSame is too old to run for president, and frankly he has no new or outstanding stances on anything. The American people dont need another mediocre president. We need an intelligent and classy man in the white house.

Bring it on OBAMA! I cant wait to see Palin ripped to intellectual shreds by Biden at the debate. It will be hilarious. If you conservatives vote for McSame and Failin you are typical ignorant Americans

[TechyGal]

I feel that Palin is repulsive, offensive, and totally out of touch with current issues faced by our country. She is nothing more than a religious right wing freak that can't even control her own family. That is what is known as a hypocrite. I was a Mccain supporter until he chose this complete moron as a running mate and now I even question his credibility.

Dear Mrs. Palin,

I am not concerned with hockey or snow machines. Please stop saying "nucular", it makes us afraid to give you the codes. Read a newspaper. Look up "economy" in the dictionary. Stop lying about the Bridge to Nowhere. Do not ban books. Govern your family first.

Sincerely,

America

[Douglas]

Hi. In the future I'm going to keep here links to their sites. But I do not worry about the sites where my link is removed. So if you do not want to see a mountain of links, simply delete this message. After 2 weeks, I will come back and check.