Barack Obama Infomercial Ratings: 26.3 Million Watch On Networks

The Obama special was seen by 26.3 million viewers across broadcasters CBS, NBC and Fox, according to preliminary Nielsen ratings.

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 16 years.

The entertainment programming that usually runs in the time period on those three broadcast networks has averaged 7.7 million viewers and a 2.4 adults 18-49 rating since the start of the season. In the preliminary ratings, the ad pulled an average of 9.2 million viewers and a 2.7 average rating.

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 rating by 43% and CBS by 10% compared with last week. And keep in mind Obama was competing with himself.

The lowest-rated of the three presidential debates received a 52.4 million viewers -- but that was carried by more networks and was, after all, a debate.

The Ross Perot specials in 1992 averaged 11.6 million viewers, but those were 15 separate specials that ran on different nights.

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[jtatherton81]

KKK

[voyeurdug]

The only better voice for narration would be Morgan Freeman, and after that, the late George Page.

McCain TV attack ads are voiced in low, female voices that sound threatened. The issues McCain raises to cause concern about Obama have had their answers long posted to Obama's website in withering detail. So, the base McCain is reaching are people unfamiliar with the internet... and/or those who are looking for scape-issues behind which to hide their racism.