According to Variety:

Thursday’s first and only vice presidential debate between Joe Biden and Sarah Palin is expected to easily draw more than 70 million viewers when Nielsen national estimates for the broadcast and cable networks are released this afternoon.

Preliminary overnight household figures from Nielsen show that 45% of U.S. households were watching the debate on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS, CNN, Fox News, CSPAN, MSNBC, CNBC, Telemundo and Telefutura. This is a big jump over the 31.6 overnight?rating for the first presidential debate, which aired last Friday and ended up averaging 52.4 million viewers.

It’s fair to assume that Thursday’s debate should draw more than 70 million and perhaps as many as 75 million on the broadcast and cable outlets. PBS also figured to draw about 3.5 million viewers for its coverage, according to early estimates from the public broadcaster, whose ratings are not regularly measured by Nielsen.

- Read the rest on Variety.

Live + Same Day Cable News Daily Ratings for October 1, 2008

P2+ Total Day
FNC – 1,708,000 viewers
CNN –988,000 viewers
MSNBC –697,000 viewers
CNBC – 373,000 viewers
HLN – 354,000 viewers

P2+ Prime Time
FNC – 3,770,000 viewers
CNN –2,092,000 viewers
MSNBC-1,830,000 viewers
CNBC –337,000 viewers
HLN – 900,000 viewers

25-54 Total Day
FNC – 425,000 viewers
CNN –357,000 viewers
MSNBC – 222,000 viewers
CNBC –117,000 viewers
HLN- 147,000 viewers

25-54 Prime Time
FNC –930,000 viewers
CNN – 719,000 viewers
MSNBC – 649,000 viewers
CNBC – 113,000 viewers
HLN – 376,000 viewers

35-64 Total Day
FNC –814,000 viewers
CNN – 488,000 viewers
MSNBC – 340,000 viewers
CNBC – 188,000 viewers
HLN – 188,000 viewers

35-64 Prime Time
FNC – 1,663,000 viewers
CNN – 1,013,000 viewers
MSNBC –935,000 viewers
CNBC –156,000 viewers
HLN –508,000 viewers

Morning programs (6:00AM-9:00AM) P2+ (25-54) (35-64)
FOX & Friends –1,362,000 viewers (382,000) (832,000)
American Morning-600,000 viewers (229,000) (290,000)
Morning Joe- 569,000 viewers (204,000) (285,000)
Squawk Box- 266,000 viewers (87,000) (173,000)
Morning Express w/ Meade- 305,000 viewers (147,000) (136,000)

6PM - P2+ (25-54) (35-64)
Special Report with Brit Hume – 2,451,000 viewers (462,000) (1,050,000)
Situation Room- 1,206,000 viewers (437,000) (590,000)
Race/White House w/d Gregory- 899,000 viewers (175,000) (376,000)
Mad Money–323,000 viewers (108,000) (178,000)
Prime News-249,000 viewers (92,000) (147,000)

7PM - P2+ (25-54) (35-64)
Fox Report w/ Shepard Smith – 2,385,000 viewers (553,000) (1,170,000)
Lou Dobbs–1,381,000 viewers (476,000) (692,000)
Hardball w/Chris Matthews—1,436,000 viewers (417,000) (671,000)
**Is Your Money Safe (7PM-10PM)—384,000 viewers (113,000) (181,000)
Glenn Beck – 700,000 viewers (294,000) (378,000)

8PM - P2+ (25-54) (35-64)
The O’Reilly Factor- 4,328,000 viewers (937,000) (1,877,000)
Election Center—1,669,000 viewers (575,000) (804,000)
Countdown w/Keith Olbermann– 2,283,000 viewers (753,000) (1,124,000)
Nancy Grace –1,362,000 viewers (587,000) (763,000)

9 PM - P2+ (25-54) (35-64)
Hannity & Colmes—3,948,000 viewers (1,037,000) (1,713,000)
Larry King Live—2,301,000 viewers (735,000) (1,044,000)
Rachel Maddow Show–1,958,000 viewers (704,000) (1,018,000)
Glenn Beck- 682,000 viewers (301,000) (405,000)

10 PM P2+ (25-54) (35-64)
On the Record w/Greta—3,033,000 viewers (816,000) (1,400,000)
Anderson Cooper 360 –2,294,000 viewers (844,000) (1,191,000)
Countdown w/Keith Olbermann–1,250,000 viewers (492,000) (662,000)
Entrepreneurs—166,000 viewers (103,000) (88,000)
Nancy Grace –738,000 viewers (278,000) (399,000)

11 PM P2+ (25-54) (35-64)
The O’Reilly Factor–2,289,000 viewers (776,000) (1,165,000)
Anderson Cooper 360—1,369,000 viewers (567,000) (834,000)
Rachel Maddow Show–609,000 viewers (202,000) (325,000)
Mad Money—210,000 viewers (133,000) (160,000)
Showbiz Tonight– 469,000 viewers (200,000) (244,000)

P2+ = viewers over the age of 2

(25-54) = Adults 25-54 viewing

(35-64) = Adults 35-64 viewing

Prime Time = 8-11pm

LIVE+SD: The number that watched a program either while it was broadcast OR watched via DVR on the same day [through 3AM the next day] the program was broadcast. For more information see Numbers 101.

Scratch = when a show’s audience fails to meet minimum Nielsen reporting levels. For more information go here.

Nielsen Cable Network Coverage Estimates (as of March, 2008)

CNN/HLN: 96.93 million HHs
CNBC:        95.13 million HHs
FNC:           94.55 million HHs
MSNBC:      91.59 million HHs

Nielsen TV Ratings Data: ©2008 The Nielsen Company. All Rights Reserved.

From an NBC press release:

“Today” Has Topped GMA By More Than 1 Million Viewers For 3 Straight Quarters, The Largest Quarter Winning Streak in 5 Years 

GMA Posted Its Lowest 3rd Quarter Delivery In 8 Years 

“Today” Posted Its Best 3Q Advantage Over GMA in 5 Years 

NEW YORK – October 1, 2008 – NBC News’ “Today” is by far the morning news leader topping GMA by more than 1 million viewers for three straight quarters and posting its largest quarter win in more than four years (since 1Q’04). For the third quarter 2008, America’s favorite morning program attracted 5.3 million viewers for the quarter – a giant 1.24 million (31 percent) lead over GMA, and 2.8 million (111 percent) lead over “The Early Show.” The win marks the 53rd consecutive quarter “Today” has been the No. 1 morning news program. 

“Today” has topped GMA by more than 1 million viewers for three straight quarters, the largest quarter winning streak in 5 years (since 3Q’03 through 1Q’04). “Today” also posted its best 3Q advantage over GMA in five years, since 3Q’03. GMA delivered its lowest 3rd quarter delivery in eight years (since 3Q’01). Year-to-year, “Today” increased its advantages over GMA by giant leaps in homes (from 15% up to 32%), total viewers (from 12% up to 31%), W18-49 (from 25% up to 43%), M18-49 (from 43% up to 67%), A18-49 (from 25% up to 50%), rating W25-54 (from 19% up to 25%), M25-54 (from 40% up to 44%) and A25-54 (from 27% up to 36%). Versus 3Q’07, “Today” increased in both homes (+5%) and total viewers (+7%). 

For the quarter, “Today” led with a 4.1 household rating/15 share and 5.3 million viewers. “GMA” trailed with a 3.1/12 and 4 million viewers. CBS’ “The Early Show” remained in third place with a 1.9/7 and 2.5 million viewers. 

In A25-54, “Today” led GMA by 36 percent and beat Early Show by a massive 111 percent. In A18-49, “Today” outperformed GMA by 50 percent and Early Show by 150 percent. “Today” had it biggest 3Q wins over GMA in W/A18-49 and W/A25-54 since 3Q’04. 

“Today II” out-rated CBS Early Show in homes, total viewers, and all demographics for the quarter. “Today II” outperformed “The View” in homes (+8%), total viewers (+8% or +263,000), M18-49 (+25%) and M25-54 (+75%). Compared to 3Q’07, “Today II” increased in homes (+8%), total viewers (+6%), and M25-54 (+17%). Please note – “Today III” was pre-empted for two weeks during the third quarter. “Today III” had a strong delivery posting a 1.4/5 in homes and 1.7 total viewers.

Live + Same Day Cable News Daily Ratings for September 30, 2008

P2+ Total Day
FNC – 1,599,000 viewers
CNN –994,000 viewers
MSNBC –694,000 viewers
CNBC – 440,000 viewers
HLN – 382,000 viewers

P2+ Prime Time
FNC – 3,482,000 viewers
CNN –1,789,000 viewers
MSNBC-1,714,000 viewers
CNBC –165,000 viewers
HLN – 944,000 viewers

25-54 Total Day
FNC – 389,000 viewers
CNN –348,000 viewers
MSNBC – 249,000 viewers
CNBC –123,000 viewers
HLN- 159,000 viewers

25-54 Prime Time
FNC –846,000 viewers
CNN – 700,000 viewers
MSNBC – 609,000 viewers
CNBC – 69,000 viewers
HLN – 350,000 viewers

35-64 Total Day
FNC –718,000 viewers
CNN – 499,000 viewers
MSNBC – 376,000 viewers
CNBC – 226,000 viewers
HLN – 210,000 viewers

35-64 Prime Time
FNC – 1,479,000 viewers
CNN –934,000 viewers
MSNBC –914,000 viewers
CNBC –86,000 viewers
HLN –469,000 viewers

Morning programs (6:00AM-9:00AM) P2+ (25-54) (35-64)
FOX & Friends –1,321,000 viewers (370,000) (749,000)
American Morning-691,000 viewers (277,000) (395,000)
Morning Joe- 575,000 viewers (213,000) (314,000)
Squawk Box- 417,000 viewers (145,000) (249,000)
Morning Express w/ Meade- 232,000 viewers (139,000) (167,000)

6PM - P2+ (25-54) (35-64)
Special Report with Brit Hume – 2,225,000 viewers (414,000) (869,000)
Situation Room- 1,235,000 viewers (404,000) (608,000)
Race/White House w/d Gregory- 930,000 viewers (297,000) (490,000)
Mad Money–369,000 viewers (87,000) (169,000)
Prime News-299,000 viewers (101,000) (139,000)

7PM - P2+ (25-54) (35-64)
Fox Report w/ Shepard Smith – 2,017,000 viewers (451,000) (868,000)
Lou Dobbs–1,641,000 viewers (531,000) (852,000)
Hardball w/Chris Matthews—1,077,000 viewers (353,000) (603,000)
Is Your Money Safe—487,000 viewers (143,000) (301,000)
Glenn Beck – 599,000 viewers (236,000) (355,000)

8PM - P2+ (25-54) (35-64)
The O’Reilly Factor- 4,098,000 viewers (952,000) (1,704,000)
Election Center—1,465,000 viewers (556,000) (771,000)
Countdown w/Keith Olbermann– 1,874,000 viewers (653,000) (986,000)
On the Money—213,000 viewers (59,000) (102,000)
Nancy Grace –1,168,000 viewers (439,000) (620,000)

9 PM - P2+ (25-54) (35-64)
Hannity & Colmes—3,464,000 viewers (869,000) (1,490,000)
Larry King Live—1,817,000 viewers (666,000) (931,000)
Rachel Maddow Show–1,896,000 viewers (688,000) (1,010,000)
Conservations w/Eisner—a scratch w/110,000 viewers (a scratch w/39,000) (54,000)
Glenn Beck- 873,000 viewers (331,000) (428,000)

10 PM P2+ (25-54) (35-64)
On the Record w/Greta—2,884,000 viewers (717,000) (1,243,000)
Anderson Cooper 360 –2,087,000 viewers (878,000) (1,099,000)
Countdown w/Keith Olbermann–1,373,000 viewers (487,000) (745,000)
Big Idea w/Donny Deutsch—173,000 viewers (109,000) (103,000)
Nancy Grace –867,000 viewers (316,000) (401,000)

11 PM P2+ (25-54) (35-64)
The O’Reilly Factor–2,195,000 viewers (630,000) (1,062,000)
Anderson Cooper 360—1,042,000 viewers (405,000) (585,000)
Rachel Maddow Show–797,000 viewers (316,000) (442,000)
Mad Money—163,000 viewers (77,000) (118,000)
Showbiz Tonight– 438,000 viewers (192,000) (230,000)

P2+ = viewers over the age of 2

(25-54) = Adults 25-54 viewing

(35-64) = Adults 35-64 viewing

Prime Time = 8-11pm

LIVE+SD: The number that watched a program either while it was broadcast OR watched via DVR on the same day [through 3AM the next day] the program was broadcast. For more information see Numbers 101.

Scratch = when a show’s audience fails to meet minimum Nielsen reporting levels. For more information go here.

Nielsen Cable Network Coverage Estimates (as of March, 2008)

CNN/HLN: 96.93 million HHs
CNBC:        95.13 million HHs
FNC:           94.55 million HHs
MSNBC:      91.59 million HHs

Nielsen TV Ratings Data: ©2008 The Nielsen Company. All Rights Reserved.

From a Turner press release:

CNN Digital No. 1 in Unique Visitors, Total Minutes, Page Views on Debate DayTraffic Record Reached for ‘Political Ticker,’ No. 1 Political News Blog According to Nielsen OnlineAs online users sought up-to-the-minute news and information on the day of the first presidential debate, the CNN Digital Network broke away from its competitors, securing the No. 1 spot among Current Events and Global News Sites across key Nielsen Online usage metrics, including unique visitors, total minutes and page views. 

On Friday, Sept. 26, the CNN Digital Network obtained the No. 1 spot across multiple metrics, including: 

· Unique visitors: 7.7 million 

· Total minutes: 70 million, besting No. 2 MSNBC Digital by 70 percent 

· Page views: 71.2 million page views, beating No. 2 MSNBC Digital by 89 percent. 

(Source: Nielsen Online) 

On Saturday, Sept. 27, the CNN Digital Network again ranked No.1 with 32.8 million total minutes and 38.4 million page views. (Source: Nielsen Online) 

CNN.com Live, the network’s multi-stream, live video news service, served 1.1 million live video streams, representing an increase of 271 percent over the benchmark period and ranking Friday, Sept. 26, as the second-highest day on record for the live video news service. (Source: Omniture SiteCatalyst, Global) 

CNNPolitics.com, the online gateway to the network’s up-to-the-minute political coverage, generated 12 million page views on Friday, while The Political Ticker – the No. 1 political news blog according to Nielsen Online – set a record for its highest trafficked day ever with 4.8 million page views on Friday, Sept. 26. Continuing its momentum, the Political Ticker garnered 4.2 million page views on Saturday, Sept. 27, accounting for the blog’s second-highest day on record. This is the second time in a month that the Political Ticker has generated record page views. (Source: Omniture SiteCatalyst, Global) 

CNN.com is the world’s No. 1 destination for online and wireless news, garnering the greatest share among current events and global news sites. Launched in 1995, CNN.com draws from the resources of CNN Worldwide and its many partners to provide consumers with the most enriching, immediate interaction with news anywhere, seamlessly combining articles, videos, images, interactive features and user-generated content. CNN.com’s news video offering – both live and on-demand – is unparalleled on the Web. CNN.com’s recent awards include an Edward R. Murrow award, a National Headliner award and three EPpy awards.

Live + Same Day Cable News Daily Ratings for September 29, 2008

P2+ Total Day
FNC – 1,736,000 viewers
CNN –1,183,000 viewers
MSNBC –723,000 viewers
CNBC – 565,000 viewers
HLN – 343,000 viewers

P2+ Prime Time
FNC – 3,713,000 viewers
CNN –1,902,000 viewers
MSNBC-1,658,000 viewers
CNBC –429,000 viewers
HLN – 873,000 viewers

Read the full story

Live + Same Day Weekend Ratings
Cable News Ratings September 27, 2008

P2+ Total Day
FNC – 1,323,000 viewers
CNN –977,000 viewers
MSNBC – 530,000 viewers
CNBC – 158,000 viewers
HLN – 310,000 viewers

P2+ Prime Time
FNC –1,731,000 viewers
CNN – 1,273,000 viewers
MSNBC – 398,000 viewers
CNBC – 295,000 viewers
HLN – 322,000 viewers

Read the full story

Via ABC press release:

EVENING NEWS (Week of September 22, 2008)

              Total Viewers     Adults 25-54     Households

ABC              8,070,000     2.1/9; 2,570,000     5.5/11

NBC              7,980,000     2.1/9; 2,570,000     5.4/11

CBS              5,990,000     1.5/6; 1,910,000     4.1/8

Nielsen TV Ratings Data: ©2008 The Nielsen Company. All Rights Reserved.