Nielsen: 33.6 million watched Obama ad

UPDATED: If Barack Obama fails to win the election, perhaps the networks should hire him to entertain viewers on Wednesday nights.

 

Obama’s 30-minute primetime infomercial was seen by 33.6 million viewers across seven networks — including CBS, NBC, Fox, Univision, MSNBC, BET and TV One.

That’s 70% more people than watched the conclusion of the World Series last night on Fox (19.8 million). Clearly, Obama vs. McCain is more compelling to viewers this week than Phillies vs. Rays.

Nielsen estimates that roughly 71% of viewers were white, 17% of viewers were black and 15% were Hispanic.*

Now the tricky question is: What do you compare Obama’s ad to? After all, such a national pre-election special hasn’t been attempted in more than a decade.

>> A Ross Perot political special in 1996 totaled 22 million viewers. And one of Perot’s ads on Nov. 2 in 1992 carried on ABC and CBS attracted 26 million viewers. Obama’s ad was 30% higher but, then again, Perot only got 19% of the vote on Election Day.

>> The lowest-rated of the three recent presidential debates received a 52.4 million viewers — but that was carried by more networks and was, after all, a highly anticipated debate instead of a paid ad.

>> Among all seven networks, the time period typically draws a total of 30.3 million — so Obama increased their viewership by about 11%.

The entertainment programming that usually runs in the slot on NBC, CBS and Fox averages 23.1 million viewers each week since the start of the season, roughly 9% lower than the Obama ad total on those networks (which is 25.5 million). 

But the usual shows are comedies and dramas. Can one realistically compare “Knight Rider” to a political ad? That would normally seem unfair — to the politician. Obama improved NBC’s time period average this season by 40% and CBS’ by 19%.

And keep in mind Obama was competing against himself.

NBC was the most-viewed and highest-rated network for its presentation of Obama’s ad, pulling 9.8 million viewers and a 3.0 preliminary adults 18-49 rating. CBS had 8.6 million (2.3) and Fox had 7.1 million (2.8). 

Among the top 56 local metered markets, Nielsen says the Baltimore market had the largest TV audience for the ad while the Portland market had the lowest.

As for ABC’s underdog “Pushing Daisies,” airing on the only major broadcaster not to carry the ad, the counterprogramming tied CBS for third place in the adults 18-49 demo in the afternoon nationals. “Daisies” (6.7 million, 2.3) was also up by 21% from last week to a season high. The CW’s “America’s Next Top Model” (3.9 million, 2.0), also running in the time period, didn’t receive a bump and was on par with last weekI watched the ad and was brought to tears. It was heartfelt that such humbleness could be felt and real of a candidate running for the Head and Oval office of corruption at its best. Maybe, just maybe Barack Obama is running because he knows that at least the American people working together for change now and always will bring about brighter days and peace of mind that we are still a great nation and we are still great people that deserve their piece of the American Dream and that yes we are entitled to have our fair share the same as the Rich. The Republicans’ view of a perfect country is the Rich get richer, the poor get poorer because the poor will support the rich and all is good. I am tried of paying taxes for those living high on the hog and breaking my back so that I can’t survive cause my menial pay, healthcare and life are less than worthy. I am tired of the GOP saying one thing and doing something else and think that I am not intelligent enough or for that matter not paying attention to what they are doing. We the American People need to wake up and stay awake to make this country better than the way we have so that those after us will have an even better opportunity to their piece of the American Dream. Spreading the wealth is the American Dream for all the citizens and not just a selected few as the clic of the Republican party. I am glad to have had a choice to watch the ad rather than be forced to listen to the garbage of the robocalls of the GOP. Way to go Sen. Obama, sound judgment on your part in taking into consideration the feelings and needs of the American People.
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I watched the ad and was brought to tears. It was heartfelt that such humbleness could be felt and real of a candidate running for the Head and Oval office of corruption at its best. Maybe, just maybe Barack Obama is running because he knows that at least the American people working together for change now and always will bring about brighter days and peace of mind that we are still a great nation and we are still great people that deserve their piece of the American Dream and that yes we are entitled to have our fair share the same as the Rich. The Republicans’ view of a perfect country is the Rich get richer, the poor get poorer because the poor will support the rich and all is good. I am tried of paying taxes for those living high on the hog and breaking my back so that I can’t survive cause my menial pay, healthcare and life are less than worthy. I am tired of the GOP saying one thing and doing something else and think that I am not intelligent enough or for that matter not paying attention to what they are doing. We the American People need to wake up and stay awake to make this country better than the way we have so that those after us will have an even better opportunity to their piece of the American Dream. Spreading the wealth is the American Dream for all the citizens and not just a selected few as the clic of the Republican party. I am glad to have had a choice to watch the ad rather than be forced to listen to the garbage of the robocalls of the GOP. Way to go Sen. Obama, sound judgment on your part in taking into consideration the feelings and needs of the American People.
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wish all the best for Americans. I sincerely hope they will come out of this mess and live happily. I had no problem with Mccain before, but after choosing Palin I am confused with him. He has become so negative, Palin is not good for America. Republican party has someone better than Palin I hope. Obama is RIGHT choice. It’s in your(Americans) hands to choose, America needs to build bridges with other nations. Mccain is not going to do it.

The adalso has been seen over 740,000 on Obama’s YouTube channel &other sites have posted it.

People probably also watched it at house parties and
public places (several bars in San Francisco showed
the debates).

And it was a 30 minute political ad, not an infomercial.

It was closer in format to a documentary (and was directed by an Oscar winning documentary filmmaker – I saw the camera crews at Obama’s speech at the DNC).
Uhm, how come nobody is mentioning the fact that less people watched this (across all these networks) than watched any of the Presidential debates?

From the Nielsen website:

In comparison, the final debate between the two presidential candidates received a 38.3 household rating in the top 56 local TV markets. The candidates’ first debate on September 26 received a 34.7 household rating in the top 55 markets; their second debate, on October 7, received a 42.0 household rating in those markets.

And far fewer than the number who watched the VP debates? (Which had a rating of nearly 70% of all viewers.) And sadly for Obama, only 10% more, at prime viewing hour, than the nearly 11% who watched Palin on SNL, at 11:30 at night.

Yes, it may have “won” more viewers than regular Wednesday night programming, but only 21% of all the televisions in America is really not very good. For a guy who supposedly is going to be our next president, it seems a large portion of the country couldn’t have cared less.
I can’t vote but I live in the States with my American husband and 2 children, I pay taxes and I work very hard – my husband who was a Republican will now vote for Obama – who represents hope & change for our future.
I can’t believe how low & divisive the McCain/Palin campaign has stooped – it’s just frightening how ignorant such a large number of American’s are. It’s 2008 and as a nation we should be more evolved than to fear a “black man” in office, Obama seems to be a very good man, a caring man, an educated man – who truly wants to unite the country and work to bring dignity & respect back to the USA – it’s not going to be easy. But I’m a lot more hopeful for our future with him at the helm that a party that appeals to the lowest most base level. Not that all Republican’s are “bad” people, but their party has been hijacked by the most dispicable rightwing nuts. Palin is an embarrassment to her sex, her party and to the USA – the world must be laughing the arses off!
Yo Adrian. When you’re done teaching politics to a 3rd grader, yes, explain it again. Worked hard at a job for over 20 years, only to have the television network dump all the veterans because they need “young approaches”, that will cost less. A network that still hasn’t returned to its peak performanes of the past, despite the alleged brilliance of youth. Why Americans shun age and experience as a path to business and political success is a sad statement on this society.

But that’s OK because after next Tuesday, I’ll be getting a job. Thankfully, it will be a working class job well below my qualifications. Anything more than that and I’d have to be sharing my wealth. Wouldn’t want to do that. That would be like giving someone a free ride. A free ride that you wouldn’t approve of.

Posted by: ericg | October 30, 2008 at 10:41 AM

This was a very good presentation. I am a registered republican but I don’t like the way McCain/Plain are running the campaign – its dirty, low class, and subliminally racist. They talk more about how bad Obama is but never talk about how good they are – maybe because they don’t have any real ideas to talk about. One who divided the country should not be allowed to win an election. What has happened to the Republican Party Values? If McCain/Palin win then the party will continue on its dead-end path. We need a change -not only for our country but for the Republican Party also. So I will be voting for Obama – not just for the sake of the Republican Party but also because I am extremely impressed by Mr. Obama’s intelligence and his “common man” attitude and philosophy.

Posted by: a republican | October 30, 2008 at 10:50 AM

I’m a sixty-year old WASP Registered (Reagan) Republican who thinks Sen Obama deserves a landslide victory. That was a great infommercial last night – moving, smartly-targeted and well shot. The 30 minutes flew by. It brought me to tears several times. Obamam is true a leader and a terrific execeutive with immense potential for our country. Compare that to the mess Bush’s Republican Party has led us into (war, recession, scandal, etc.)and the unmitigated disaster that the McCain/Palin campaign has become. I cannot vote for those two screwballs-both are a bit brain-damaged and delusional. Everybody…get used to saying “President Obabma.”

Posted by: Bill Sixty | October 30, 2008 at 10:54 AM

This was a well done, thoughtful infomercial. Hit upon broad themes affecting most Americans. Glad I watched, was not bored. I am more in love than ever. Keeping my fingers crossed until election day and hope my guy wins.

Posted by: JaneWaitress | October 30, 2008 at 11:03 AM

Duane posted: Uhm, how come nobody is mentioning the fact that less people watched this (across all these networks) than watched any of the Presidential debates?
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Umm, because the debates were watched by Democrats, Independents AND Republicans. People who are fully backing McCain (for whatever odd reason) would rather set their eyelids on fire than watch an Obama ad, however, they truly missed out on a great presentation. Besides, it really doesn’t matter how many people watched, what matter is WHO watched which I am sure were many of the remaining undecided and Independent voters

I hope Barack’s site sells this presentation on DVD and Blu-ray disc.

Posted by: Georgia Blue | October 30, 2008 at 11:12 AM

Before the airing the networks were projecting 40 million viewers and came in at half. But they got their money. I was looking for the Special Report on the Huffington Post writer that stabbed her ex 212 times with a screw driver?

Posted by: james andrews | October 30, 2008 at 11:19 AM

Georgia Blue, thanks to you personally for making me laugh my ass off this morning at your reply to
DUHane, priceless!!! OBAMA/BIDEN 08/12

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Duane posted: Uhm, how come nobody is mentioning the fact that less people watched this (across all these networks) than watched any of the Presidential debates?
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Umm, because the debates were watched by Democrats, Independents AND Republicans. People who are fully backing McCain (for whatever odd reason) would rather set their eyelids on fire than watch an Obama ad, however, they truly missed out on a great presentation. Besides, it really doesn’t matter how many people watched, what matter is WHO watched which I am sure were many of the remaining undecided and Independent voters