ABC Draws the Most DNC Viewers on Broadcast Television

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ABC Draws the Most DNC Viewers on Broadcast Television

by Tony Maglio | August 18, 2020 @ 8:36 AM

Network ties with NBC at 10 p.m. among adults 18-49

ABC attracted the most broadcast-television viewers to its Democratic National Convention (DNC) coverage at 10 p.m. ET last night, according to initial Nielsen numbers.

Due to the nature of live television coverage, the below numbers for the networks carrying the DNC are not time-zone adjusted. Therefore, the ratings for CBS, NBC and ABC should be considered very preliminary and subject to adjustment.

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For now, ABC’s DNC coverage in the hour averaged 2.1 million viewers. NBC’s own coverage of the convention drew 1.9 million and CBS had 1.7 million total viewers.

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ABC and NBC both got a 0.3 rating among adults 18-49 for the hour, CBS received a 0.2. Among adults 25-54, which is the main demo for news programming, ABC and NBC both averaged a 0.5 rating at 10 p.m., while CBS settled for a 0.3.

We do not yet have DNC ratings for the cable news channels — those Nielsen numbers will come in later on Tuesday.

Almost the entire rest of Monday’s primetime was populated by reruns — save a few telenovelas on the Spanish-language networks and an original episode of “Penn & Teller: Fool Us” on The CW.

Also Read: 5 Most Memorable Moments on DNC Night 1, From George Floyd's Family to Michelle Obama

NBC, Fox and Univision tied for first in overall primetime ratings’ averages last night, each with a 0.4 rating/2 share in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic. NBC was second in total viewers with 2.3 million, Fox was fourth with 2.08 million and Univision was fifth with 1.4 million.

CBS, ABC and Telemundo tied for fourth in ratings, each with a 0.3/2. CBS was first in total viewers with 2.5 million, ABC was third with 2.10 million and Telemundo was sixth with 1.1 million.

The CW was seventh in ratings with a 0.2/1 and in viewers with 948,000. The “Penn & Teller” episode at 9 p.m. had a 0.2/1 and 905,000 viewers.

18 New Summer TV Shows Ranked by Premiere Viewers, From 'Tough as Nails' to 'United We Fall' (Photos)

With all due respect to "America's Got Talent," summer is not exactly the time when Nielsen ratings threaten to fall off the charts -- at least, not the top of the charts. And when it comes to new series, a summer slot isn't generally a vote of confidence from the network.

Due to coronavirus-forced production shutdowns, Summer 2020 has been an especially soft season. Click through our gallery to see how 18 freshman broadcast television shows -- some acquisitions -- fared in total viewers for their premieres this summer.

Also Read: 2020-2021 TV Season: Every Broadcast Show Canceled, Renewed and Ordered – So Far
ABC/Fox/CBS/The CW
Rank: 18 Show: "Taskmaster"* Net: The CW Total Viewers: 212,000

*Network debut of U.K. series
The CW
Rank: 17 Show: "Being Reuben"* Net: The CW Total Viewers: 242,000 *Network debut of U.K. series
The CW
Rank: 16 Show: "Fridge Wars"* Net: The CW Total Viewers: 398,000

*Network debut of Canadian series
The CW
Rank: 15 Show: "Tell Me a Story"* Net: The CW Total Viewers: 434,000

*Network debut of CBS All Access series
CBS All Access
Rank: 14 Show: "Killer Camp"* Net: The CW Total Viewers: 483,000

*Network debut of U.K. series
The CW
Rank: 13 Show: "Dead Pixels"* Net: The CW Total Viewers: 506,000

*Network debut of U.K. series
The CW
Rank: 12 Show: "Coroner"* Net: The CW Total Viewers: 715,000

*Network debut of Canadian series
The CW
Rank: 11 Show: "Labor of Love" Net: Fox Total Viewers: 891,000

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Fox
Rank: 10 Show: "DC's Stargirl"* Net: The CW Total Viewers: 1.224 million *Network debut of DC Universe series

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The CW
Rank: 9 Show: "Celebrity Watch Party" Net: Fox Total Viewers: 1.785 million
Fox
Rank: 8 Show: "The Bachelor: The Greatest Seasons - Ever!" Net: ABC Total Viewers: 2.412 million
ABC
Rank: 7 Show: "Cannonball"* Net: NBC Total Viewers: 2.655

*Network debut of USA Network series
NBC
Rank: 6 Show: "The Genetic Detective" Net: ABC Total Viewers: 3.264 million
ABC
Rank: 5 Show: "Tough as Nails" Net: CBS Total Viewers: 4.096 million
CBS
Rank: 4 Show: "Don't" Net: ABC Total Viewers: 4.178 million
ABC
Rank: 3 Show: "United We Fall" Net: ABC Total Viewers: 4.235 million
ABC
Rank: 2 Show: "Ultimate Tag" Net: Fox Total Viewers: 4.351 million
Fox
Rank: 1 Show: "Game On!" Net: CBS Total Viewers: 4.437 million
CBS

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Nielsen sheets cooled off as the months warmed up

With all due respect to "America's Got Talent," summer is not exactly the time when Nielsen ratings threaten to fall off the charts -- at least, not the top of the charts. And when it comes to new series, a summer slot isn't generally a vote of confidence from the network.

Due to coronavirus-forced production shutdowns, Summer 2020 has been an especially soft season. Click through our gallery to see how 18 freshman broadcast television shows -- some acquisitions -- fared in total viewers for their premieres this summer.

Also Read: 2020-2021 TV Season: Every Broadcast Show Canceled, Renewed and Ordered – So Far

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