PLUS, MSNBC IS #1 MOST-WATCHED NETWORK ACROSS ALL OF TV FOR 2020 DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION WITH 5.7 MILLION VIEWERS
NBC NEWS DIGITAL DRAWS MORE THAN 110 MILLION VIDEO STARTS, MORE THAN 4.5 MILLION TOTAL HOURS WATCHED
WASHINGTON, D.C. – (Aug. 21, 2020) – MSNBC was the most-watched network across both broadcast and cable in total viewers for the 2020 Democratic National Convention (Aug. 17-Aug.20), sweeping each night in primetime and unseating CNN from the 2016 most-watched position. This was the highest-rated week in primetime in MSNBC history.
According to Nielsen Media Research data, in total viewers during primetime (10-11:15 p.m. ET), MSNBC averaged 5.735 million viewers during its four nights of coverage; +13% more than CNN (+643,000), +124% more than ABC News (+3.2 million), +186% over CBS News (+3.7 million) and +145% more than FOX News (+3.4 million).
On Thursday night, MSNBC ranked #1 again in total viewers, averaging 6.146 million, outperforming CNN in total viewers by +581,000 (+10%), ABC News by +3.2 million (+107%), CBS News by +4.2 million (+210%), and FOX News by +3.2 million (+108%). Among A25-54 viewers, MSNBC averaged 1.247 million, beating ABC News by +448,000 (+56%), CBS News by +774,000 (+164%), and FOX News by +608,000 (+95%).
In addition, more Americans turned to NBC News and MSNBC combined for coverage of the 2020 Democratic National Convention than any other news organization. The two networks averaged 8.057 million total viewers during primetime coverage (10-11:15 p.m. ET), including an average of 1.806 million viewers in the key news demographic of A25-54.
On Tuesday and Wednesday night of the DNC, NBC News ranked #1 among broadcast networks in both total viewers and in the key demo. On the last night, NBC News averaged 2.154 million viewers, outperforming CBS News by +170,000 (+9%), and among A25-54 viewers, NBC News averaged 568,000, leading CBS News by +96,000 (+20%). During its four nights of coverage, NBC News averaged 2.321 million viewers, +16% over CBS News (+313,000). In the key news demo, NBC News averaged 661,000 A54-54 viewers, also leading CBS News by +182,000 (+38%).
NBC News Digital saw more than 110 million video starts throughout the week, including 28 million video starts on day four. NBC News NOW’s livestreams drew more than 9.4 million video starts and a cumulative 7.5 million unique visitors in total, across all platforms. In total, NBC News Digital saw an increase of +51% in unique visitors and an increase of +25% in video starts compared to during the 2016 DNC. More than half a million people used NBCNews.com’s Plan Your Vote interactive tool to learn everything they need to know about casting a ballot in the 2020 presidential election.
Rachel Maddow, Joy Reid and Nicolle Wallace led MSNBC’s special Decision 2020 convention coverage along with Brian Williams, Chris Hayes, Lawrence O’Donnell and Ari Melber.
Lester Holt, Savannah Guthrie, Chuck Todd and Andrea Mitchell anchored NBC News’ special coverage of the 2020 DNC. Todd also anchored NBC News NOW’s special coverage.
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NBC NEWS AND MSNBC
More Americans watch NBC News and MSNBC than any news organization in the world. NBC News’ award-winning television news broadcasts include TODAY, NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt, Meet the Press with Chuck Todd and Dateline NBC – all of which closed out 2019 at #1 in the key news demo for the fourth straight year. Additionally, NBC News produces Third Hour of TODAY, TODAY with Hoda and Jenna and Sunday TODAY with Willie Geist, as well as primetime specials and breaking news reports. MSNBC is the premier cable destination for breaking and live news coverage, in-depth analysis, and influential voices – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The rapidly-growing NBC News Digital Group, including its streaming news service NBC News NOW, along with the SiriusXM TODAY Show and MSNBC radio channels and NBC News Radio on the iHeartMedia 24/7 News Network, provides continuous content to consumers wherever they are, whenever they want it.NBC News and MSNBC are part of the NBCUniversal News Group, a division of NBCUniversal, which is owned by Comcast Corporation. For more information about NBCUniversal, please visit www.NBCUniversal.com.
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Richard Hudock
NBC News
Lorie Acio
MSNBC
Emily Passer
NBC News Digital
