Obama conference bigger than 'Idol'

Even after his election and inauguration, Barack Obama can still draw a crowd in primetime. 

Obama's first presidential press conference Monday night drew 49.5 million viewers -- more than the recent season premiere of Fox's "American Idol." The total draws from broadcast and cable viewership across ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, Univision, CNN, Fox News Channel and MSNBC.

The eighth season premiere of "Idol" was seen by 30.1 million viewers. Of course "Idol" aired on one network while Obama's conference aired on eight.

And it's 23% less than a primetime news conference held by Bill Clinton, which also focused on the economy, that took place on Feb. 15, 1993 and was carried by four networks (64.3 million). 

On October 11, 2001, exactly a month after the attacks of September 11, President George W. Bush held a prime time news conference that drew 64.8 million viewers and was carried by 7 networks. While his 2005 address on Hurricane Katrina was seen by 36.1 million and his Iraq speech from Jan. 2007 was viewed by 42.5 million.

Related: Monday entertainment ratings -- "Big Bang Theory" hits season high; "Heroes" falls

Comments

[Bob]

Of course everyone watched. Everyone is terrified of what Obama is going to do to this country.

[not-bob]

pft, as a 20 something, his approach couldn't be any worse than GWs.