Palin Nabs Highest '08 Broadcast TV Convention Ratings

[davepc]

Source: TV Week

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s speech during Wednesday night’s Republican National Convention bested Democratic speeches from Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden and, in some cases, Barack Obama in preliminary ratings.

Speaking last night, along with former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, Gov. Palin took in a 5.4 rating/8 share on NBC, according to preliminary overnight household data from Nielsen Media Research, measuring 55 markets across the United States.

In terms of this year’s conventions, the preliminary rating for NBC’s coverage last night is higher than any other night of the convention on the broadcast networks, including Sen. Obama’s nomination acceptance speech on Aug. 28.

However, the ratings are preliminary and are subject to change.


Read more: http://www.tvweek.com/news/2008/09/palins_speech_powers_highest_0.php

[dkf]

1. I'm glad people got to see sarcastic, snide Sarah.

I'm doubly glad they didn't get to see a nice soft biopic.

Way to go Rudy!

[GoddessOfGuinness]

2. It's because nobody knows who she is...

Naturally people tuned in, out of curiosity.

I can't wait to watch her in debate with Joe Biden.

[Wizard777]

18. Have you ever tried to not watch a train wreck. Shere rubbernecking.

[myrna minx]

3. Good. People saw for themselves just how nasty they all are, instead of hearing the

fawning from the media about what a "brilliant" speech she made. :eyes:

[gratuitous]

4. 38 million people watched Obama

38 million.

An 8 share translates (if I recall correctly) to about 8 million viewers. But I suppose if you squint your eyes enough, look at it from the right angle, and hold your mouth just right, then yes, 8 could look bigger than 38.

Wotta load.

[davepc]

5. The 38 million is the total across all the outlets that carried Obama's speech.

The 8 share in the article is NBC's piece of the audience for last night.

[JaneQPublic]

6. Actually, 40+ million saw Obama...

...since the 38 million figure didn't include those watching on C-SPAN -- not to mention those watching on Internet strreaming video, in viewing parties, and in foreign countries.

[d_b]

13. or PBS

[shraby]

21. Or the internets

[joeglow3]

8. That is for ONE Network

Add in all other networks and it will be higher. However, it is not a shock. There are PLENTY of curious people who tuned in to see this lady they have never heard of. I'm not too worried.

[d_b]

14. I'll laugh so hard

if more folks end up tuning into her than McLame.

[high density]

7. That's great

I'm glad all of America tuned in to see her craziness.

[geek tragedy]

9. The Republicans know what they're doing.

She was a brilliant pick by McCain.

[CoffeeCat]

10. It's interesting that....

Every online poll is strongly trending negative about her speech.

80 percent of the online comments--on CNN, You Tube, MSNBC, etc. about this speech
are very negative.

Yes, a large audience saw it. I watched it. So did most of us. Those high numbers
don't necessarily translate into approval of her or praise for her speech.

If anything, I'm seeing a very strong negative reaction to it.

The MSM is singing her praises--as if they're being paid commission for every compliment
they give her. However, that's their job this week. They kow towed to the Democrats
last week. This week is for the Republicans.

Reality will set in next week. Right now the Republicans are enjoying their buzz from
her speech. Next week, comes the hangover.

She can read off of a teleprompter and deliver sardonic insults--with great charm. However,
she will utterly fail when the press asks her open-ended questions. So far, they have protected
her from the press. They know she's incapable of pulling off being in front of a microphone.

THAT will be a huge problem, during the rest of this campaign.

:popcorn:

[torbird]

16. I didn't see the charm

I missed the "charming" part of her stream of insults heaped not just on the Democratic nominee, but also on ordinary Americans who work to better their communities. Charming? Hardly. Not to mention that her voice is like nails into the brain. I'm not saying that because she's a woman, plenty of men have terrible speaking voices (Giuliani. Lindsay Graham. Etc.), but because it's true. I think demand for Sarah Palin's "charm" is already drying up.

[Curtland1015]

17. Interesting. I was on CNN.COM a little while ago,,,

The poll asking about Palin's speech had most people disliking it (which is how I voted of course).

I just went back on now, and "more people" suddenly liked it... by a pretty wide margin. I wonder what happened?

[davepc]

19. FREP THIS POLL!!! happened

[zeemike]

22. I think you are right about that

And I am a man but I can't see for the life of me what most women would see in her...at least the women that I know.

[Randomthought]

11. Like A Gapers Block

It proves the American public likes to watch a train wreck.

[still_one]

12. Good. There was no substance and tremendous hate in those speeches

Nothing was said about healthcare, jobs, social security, medicare, people who have lost their houses or the downturn in the economy

The emporor has no clothes

[ben_meyers]

15. Well that explains why the convention hall was half empty,

according to what I read here, they were all home watching on the TV.

[PassingFair]

20. It probably would have been higher if people were not away from their TV, PUKING

...THEIR GUTS OUT during and after
Ghouliani's spewage.

I. Could. Not. Listen. To. It.

[boomerbust]

23. Prime Time Soap Operas

Always garner big ratings. And this was a soap that had it all.

[dassix]

24. what a speech!

The more people that saw that the better. Joe Biden will destroy her in the debates...