MSNBC Sets New Bar for GOP Debates

Wednesday’s debate drew the highest ratings of any contest thus far, but CNN and Fox News both have debates coming later this month

The battle royale between Rick Perry and Mitt Romney — and those other candidates on the stage — was very kind to MSNBC.

Wednesday's GOP presidential candidates' debate, which was sponsored by NBC News and Politico, drew 5.4 million viewers to the network and 1.73 million in the coveted adults 25-54 demographic. 

Also read: Fox News a Double Winner in Presidential Debate

With two more GOP presidential candidates’ debates coming up this month, MSNBC has set the new ratings bar. The ratings for Wednesday's debate beat the numbers for Fox News’ August contest in both total viewers and the coveted adults 25-54 demographic. Fox’s debate, which took place before Perry entered the race, attracted 5.1 million viewers and 1.43 in the demo.

Also read: Michele Bachmann Uses CNN GOP Debate to Announce Presidential Candidacy

But there are challengers on the horizon.

CNN and the Tea Party Express have partnered for a debate Sept. 12 while Fox and Google will host one on Sept. 22.

So that begs one question: While Fox is the unquestioned ratings titan of the cable news world, who will take the cake when it comes to debates?

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