For First Debate, NBC Nets Largest Audience; Fox Wins Cable News

For one hour and 45 minutes Monday night, all eyes were on the first presidential debate.

The lion’s share of those eyes belonged to NBC, which took in over 18 million viewers in total and 8.32 million in the 25-54 age demographic. The debate moderator Lester Holt is an NBC anchor.

Among the big three broadcast networks, ABC was #2 with 13.52 million in total and 4.80 million in demo, while CBS followed closely with 12.08 million in total and 4.75 million in demo.

In cable news, Fox News won in total viewership with 11.36 million and 3.53 million in demo, while CNN came out ahead in demo with 4.44 million and a total of 9.81 million. MSNBC trailed with 4.90 million in total and 1.58 million in demo.

In total, the debate was watched by an average of 80.9 million viewers, not counting those who watched it on PBS or C-SPAN or streamed it online, according to CNN’s Brian Stelter.

The average viewership for the debate (9 p.m. – 10:45 eastern time) are below.

NBC: 18,156,000 (total), 8,323,000 (demo)
ABC: 13,521,000 (total) 4,802,000 (demo)
CBS: 12,082,000 (total), 4,750,000 (demo)
Fox News: 11,359,000 (total), 3,525,000 (demo)
CNN: 9,805,000 (total), 4,435,000 (demo)
MSNBC: 4,895,000 (total), 1,576,000 (demo)
Fox Business:  672,610 (total), 141,745 (demo)
CNBC: 520,492 (total), 229,765 (demo)

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