CNN election coverage takes 2nd place in ratings - beating broadcast networks like NBC, CBS and FOX

Associated Press Newswires
(c) 2008. The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

“NEW YORK (AP) - A record-setting 70 million-plus viewers watched election returns Tuesday night, which proved to be historic for cable TV and Web news consumption just as it was for Barack Obama.

ABC had 13.1 million viewers during the prime-time hours, defined as 8 to 11 p.m. CNN had 12.3 million, NBC had 12 million, Fox 9 million, CBS 7.8 million, MSNBC 5.9 million, the Fox broadcast network 5 million and the Spanish-language Univision 4.1 million, Nielsen said.

Not only is that CNN’s biggest audience in a nearly three-decade history, it proved that a cable network could beat the major broadcasters on a big event. That’s an important change from even four years ago, when more viewers turned to ABC, CBS and NBC on Election Night.”

Those are HUGE numbers for CNN. For a cable news network to beat out 3 of the 4 broadcast networks says a lot about Americans breaking traditional viewing habits and cable’s growing reach. I’d love to see CNN’s breakdown on HD viewers (anyone know them?)

Despite being more conservative in calling the states - sometimes 15 minutes behind the networks (Pennsylvania) - CNN’s political analysis, presentation and GFX were so far superior to the competition. While flipping through channels, CNN made FOX look like local cable access.

Congrats to CNN.  They fully deserve it.