All in all, CNN viewers would rather watch Don Lemon than Beto O’Rourke. The network’s hour-long town hall with the Texas congressman and Democratic presidential candidate drifted to a distant third-place finish in Tuesday night’s cable news ratings–and was down significantly from the network’s average Tuesday night ratings delivery.
According to ratings data compiled by Nielsen, the O’Rourke town hall delivered a total audience of 714,000 viewers, while MSNBC and Fox News Channel both exceeded two million viewers in the same time period: 2.196 million for MSNBC and 2.260 million for top-rated Fox News.
CNN’s ratings delivery was down nearly 30% compared to its average Tuesday night, which over the last few months has typically reached more than one million viewers. O’Rourke even failed to exceed the audience that watched a CNN town hall featuring third-tier candidate John Hickenlooper, which drew 745,000 viewers in March. The lowest-rated town hall so far this cycle was CNN’s event with Julian Castro, which reached just 654,000 viewers in April.
At least 27 dead in Bangkok after fire breaks out at bar: Officials
Two teen suspects held after 5 family members killed in ‘targeted mass shooting’
EMS dispatch audio captures emergency response before Lindsey Graham death announcement
Medical examiner releases preliminary findings in Lindsey Graham’s death as death certificate remains pending
Mitch McConnell breaks silence on mystery hospitalization after Graham’s death
From ‘disgrace’ to ‘family’: Trump’s remarkable journey with Lindsey Graham
Some Somali Kids Allegedly Spent Their July 4 Weekend Shooting People
Dr. Phil Speaks Out Against Anti-Christian Persecution
Here’s Why Judge Blocked Blue State’s Gun Ban
Father, son killed in plane crash on way home from baseball game
Graham’s death ignites GOP scramble for Senate seat as Trump hints he already has a favorite
Huckabee: Banner at Supreme Leader’s Funeral Exposes the Real Iran
Trump Spoke to Lindsay Graham Shortly Before His Death, Offers Glowing Praise for Late Republican
Report: Hours After Lindsay Graham’s Death, Nancy Mace Is Eyeing His Senate Seat
Trial of Man Accused of Lighting Infamous Los Angeles Palisades Fire Ends Inconclusively
Among viewers 25-54, the demographic group most valued by national advertisers, CNN’s O’Rourke town hall had 194,000 viewers, down 38% from its average Tuesday night delivery of 313,000. In the demo, Fox News finished first with 362,000 viewers, followed by MSNBC (315,000).
The poor ratings will raise questions about O’Rourke’s ability to generate buzz in a crowded field, but also about the debate among Democrats over the wisdom of going where the viewers are and appearing on Fox News. Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren recently announced she would not accept an offer to appear in a Fox town hall, while candidates like Bernie Sanders, Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg have reached large audiences on FNC. Sanders’ Fox town hall remains the highest-rated town hall this cycle, with a total audience of 2.554 million viewers.
