President Obama’s Oval Office address on Sunday about the threat of ISIS and global terrorism drew 46 million viewers.
The address, which aired across 12 networks, reiterated the president’s view that Americans need to remain tolerant of Muslims along with the vow to not send ground troops into Syria or Iraq for another war.
Obama’s performance was panned by conservative media, and some liberal outlets, for not being forceful enough.
On cable news, Fox News was the most-watched network for the address, attracting 3,316,000 viewers and 695,000 25-54 demo viewers between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. ET. CNN drew 1,722,000 viewers and 536,000 demo viewers while MSNBC ranked third with 861,000 viewers and 160,000 demo viewers.
Following the Paris terror attacks and and Donald Trump’s calls for a Muslim registry and temporary ban on Muslim immigration into the U.S., cable and broadcast news have kicked into high gear in covering terrorism and ISIS.
President Barack Obama Speaks at DreamWorks (Photos)
President Obama quotes Roger Ebert in speech about the economy.
“I was fortunate enough to get to know Roger, and was always inspired by how he handled some really tough stuff,” Obama said. “He said, ‘Kindness covers all of my political beliefs.’ … When I think about what I’m fighting for, what gets me up every single day — that captures it.”
“Believe it or not, entertainment is, in some ways, part of American diplomacy,” he said. “Entertainment is one of America’s biggest exports.”
President Obama greets the crowd after finishing his speech.
President Obama gets a kiss from a supporter while greeting the crowd after stepping down from the podium.
President Obama watches Steve Martin and Jim Parsons perform their voices for characters in DreamWorks Animation production "Home."
President Obama visits actors Steve Martin and Jim Parsons on the set of upcoming DreamWorks animation film "Home."
President Obama gives Steve Martin some bow.
President Obama on the set of "How to Train Your Dragon 2."
President Obama with "How to Train Your Dragon 2" director Dean DeBlois.
President Obama observes the motion-capture process with DreamWorks animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg.
President Obama applauds motion capture performers on the set of "How to Train Your Dragon 2."
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The POTUS toured the animation studio in Glendale on Tuesday before giving a speech on the nation’s economy
President Obama quotes Roger Ebert in speech about the economy.
