Tuning In
Nielsen released local ratings this morning for the second presidential debate. Highlights:
* The combined overall household rating for Tuesday night’s second presidential debate, in 55 of the 56 local television markets where Nielsen maintains electronic TV meters, was 42.1. (One rating point equals 1% of the total TV audience in a given market.)
* In comparison, the first debate between Senators McCain and Obama received a much lower household rating (34.7) in the top 55 local TV markets. Last week’s V.P. debate received a 45.0 household rating in the top 55 markets. Clearly this second debate benefited from being on a Tuesday instead of a Friday. Other possible factors could be a spillover effect from the V.P. debate or growing interest in public affairs because of the deepening financial crisis.
* The Nashville market, where the debate was held, had the largest TV audience, with a household rating of 59.2, while the Sacramento/Stockton/Modesto, California market had the lowest household rating: 31.8.
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