Strong ratings for Obama speech

UPDATED: Barack Obama's latest speech on the economy commandeered primetime, displacing shows from the 9 p.m. hour with a highly viewed address.

Obama's talk to a joint session of Congress drew a 52.4 million viewers across cable and broadcast networks. That's slightly more than Obama's first presidential press conference from a couple of weeks ago. 

Among original entertainment programming at 8 p.m. (which is mostly accurate) CBS' "NCIS" (17.9 million viewers, 3.7 preliminary adults 18-49 rating and 10 share) and NBC's "The Biggest Loser" (9.7 million, 3.5/10) maintained their strength, while ABC saw a spike for "Homeland Security" (6.2 million, 1.9/5).

At 9 p.m., CW aired the season finale of "Privileged" (1.6 million, 0.8/2).The soap was notably left off the network's list of renewals yesterday and for good reason: it's the lowest-rated drama on the network. The network likes the show, and so do critics, so there may be a chance of a renewal -- but only if the network is unhappy with its fall pilots. The CW doesn't program very many time periods and, all things being equal, would prefer to try something new.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Comments

[Kathleen]

For good reason. Almost wanted to watch it twice ... first time my blood pressure didn't go through the roof in eight years knowing my president was going to speak.

[I am correct]

Obama just keeps right on campaigning.

He is going to have to actually do something eventually, besides read big talk off his teleprompter.

[Michael]

Have to agree with Kathleen. Big improvement in BP !!!! It is nice to have a President who can speak articulate, well formed, grammatical sentences for a change.
Clearly the Republicans have decided that their political future is more important than the Country's recover. As for Jindel- When he walked out it reminded me of a Adam's Family set. !!!!!!! Also very poorly presented speech. If that's the best the Republican's can do it will be long four years for them.

[topaz]

best speech in a long time..it was very great to hear president obama speaking with a clear sentence who made sense..the grand obstructionists party proved that they don't care about the american people at all so we should let them continue to make fools of themselves because the next serious elections, they will be voted out..president obama rocked the house and made everything clear for all americans to understand..gops are still mad because president obama won the white house and beat them at their own game!.it's about time and i hope that all americans wake up coz we need a serious change when it comes to our lives..

[sillyme]

"Have to agree with Kathleen. Big improvement in BP !!!! It is nice to have a President who can speak articulate, well formed, grammatical sentences for a change. "

He was speaking from a teleprompter! Even the "Nobody messes with Joe" line was on the prompter. If you've heard Obama without the prompter in speeches, you'd know that he's not that articulate or well informed.

And, let's not even get into the lies and misstatements.

[KOLSEN08@yahoo.com]

Wonderful to hear a man who can complete a coherent sentence. Masterful speech. I hope he truly goes after these greedy corporations.

[Me]

f u

[Cee Cee]

WOW, thanks for loving America and hoping for the best. Be happy, eat something sweet and pray for a better attitude.

[Di]

Did you say he’s not that articulate? I guess you follow the same mindset of the Post. A Columbia and Harvard educated man that’s not articulate? There is something underlining here that you won’t say because you can’t possible condemn this man’s language and speech after eight years of Bush. Please go back under the sheet you came from.
I hope all Americans read between the lines with bloggers such as this one. Patriotism for the country while hell bent on keeping us apart as Americans.

[Susan]

I have heard him speak extemporaneously. He's brilliant. You sound like a sore loser............implying lies and misstatements........with no specifics because you have none. I guess I have to go along with the big FU

[Deborah]

I watched in awe as everyone else did. The speech, finally gave the American people, straight talk about his plans and how he intended to impliment them. We needed straight answers and he gave themto us. There were several golden moments in the speech as well as the outstanding delivery that only he can give. However, the part that touch me most was not even spoken. No promise came with it, and no other political party would argue with the extent in which it was given as well as the heartfelt joy of the receiver. When President Obama, reached out and held Justice Ginsberg in his arms. It broke everyone down. His compassion for her was genuine, he knows what must be going through her mind and in his small way he tried to comfort her through it. Justice Ginsberg, was obviously pleased and seemed to find comfort in even the thought that this man, our newly elected President had time to intentionally offer her his concern and comfort. It trumped everything. He was a gentleman, a true gentlemen in a moment when it really mattered. He made all Americans proud. We can only wish Justice Ginsberg the best and ask God to continue to watch over her in this very difficult time.

[jh@joelhammer.com]

You're a moron. Just like our last President

[LarryN75]

One more for sillme:

So--W never used a teleprompter? What was his excuse?

Beyond that--prez's dont have teleprompters when they speak off the cuff at press conferences, press walk-n-talks, appearances with visiting leaders, etc. Just the thogh tof no more cringing in those situations is enough to lift us out of the mess he/we inherited ...even if it makes the latenight guys work a lot harder for their laughs. A least we won't be laughing through our tears near as much.

[oldcrooks]

Obama is doing something, despite many of reTHUGLIEcan old morons in congress trying to jam and screw everything up. do you people understand how government works? Bush blocked and never put anything progressive out for congress to vote on, besides war crap, and giving money to big business to blow on personal expense. first month in office, he's done more than Bush has for good of humanity did in 8 years.

[oldcrooks]

Obama best speech! telling these old crooks what to do! have to kick out the neo-cons that are blocking progression.

[Drew]

Actually, he wasn't reading from a teleprompter. That was our LAST president who had to do that.

[MZStitch]

Didn't watch it, had to earn money to pay other americans mortgages.

[Susan]

Wow you have NO IDEA what you are talking about.

What is wrong with people today, that instead of really understanding issues and trying to speak intelligently. They just think it's ok to snap back with stupid too-often repeated rumors or myths.

Thanks for exposing just how much idiocy and selfish "what about me?" mentality that is SO pervasive in our society today.

You are no different than anyone else who put their own selfish greed ahead of the interests of the country.

Learn more about the actual financial situation and the bill before shooting off your mouth. Maybe then you won't look like such an a$$!

[Charlotte Stevens]

President Obama's speech in Congress surpassed his Inaugration speech. Something must to have happened on the limo ride there between he and Bush, cause the tone of his speech was anger, with 'the childish pranks' and other statements that were not his usual eloquence... I wonder if it will ever be revealed.

He even had the insurectionist on their feet, only after the Twittered...

[TheSpider]

Don't tell me...You're an Older 65+, White, out of ideas Republican.

I bet I nailed it, righ?

[milalea]

wha! well at least if it was a prompter (which it wasn't) he COULD READ IT!

[Josh]

You mean like pass the Equal Pay Bill?

You mean like order Gitmo closed which will save the lives of our solider since most captured jihadist claim that torture of their Muslim brothers is the main reason they took up arms against the US?

You mean passing the S-Chip bill in the stimulus which will keep working family's children from going without medicine when their parents get laid off because of a terrible economy?

You mean doing more in 30 days than FDR did in the first year of his administration?

If you dont think Obama has done anything you either haven't been paying attention or you are just flat-out moronic. I think I know which.

[MZStitch]

Oh you liberals, you crack me up. Listen sweetie, I lost over half my savings in the stock market due to Americans selfishness. Buying things they can't afford. I use few charge cards, and pay balances monthly. My mortgage is tiny because I saved before buying a house, and only bought what I could afford. I drive a ten year old car, because I believe in paying cash for cars, and am saving. Fortunately that money is in a savings account, so hopefully sometime later this year I will be able to buy a nice used SUV, as my family of five doesn't fit well in my ten year old oldsmobile. So, sorry, I believe I have a right to be angry, because if most Americans lived like I do we wouldn't be in the mess we are in now.
Oh, and actually, I know exactly what I am talking about, as I read the news daily, another thing most americans don't do.
I'm also proud I don't call others swear words, as I stopped doing that in I think middle school.

[Athenatwo]

Eight years? My blood pressure has been volcanic since 1980 (including the farce of an impeachment trial of Clinton). Goodbye to the GOP, hello sanity. We are going to have to hurt a bit before it's over, but it is over. America has fundamentally changed and turned away from the overwhelmingly selfish ignorance it has been practicing for decades. Thank God for Barack Obama.

[I am correct]

Look at all the lemmings swooning Over President Slick's teleprompter reading. Pathetic.

It's going to be fun watching all the finger pointing as the Obama fail rolls in.

That's what you get for trying to turn us into the United States of France.

[disenchanted]

Yes, Obama is an excellent speaker, and can "bowl people over" with his words, but beware--there is more to being president than just getting the people to listen to him. I certainly don't see that he is doing anything wonderful so far!