GOP Debate Most-Watched Program Ever For CNN

Wednesday's prime time GOP debate averaged 22.9 million viewers, making it the most-watched program in CNN's history.

CNN reports the 6 p.m. "undercard" debate drew 6.3 million viewers.

For comparison's sake, CNN's most-watched presidential primary debate before Wednesday was a Democratic debate on January 31, 2008. It had an average of 8.3 million viewers.

CNN's most-watched program overall was a special "Larry King Live" episode in 1993. The episode featured Al Gore and Ross Perot debating NAFTA and averaged 16.8 million viewers.
Wednesday's matchup easily surpassed that total.

These are NFL-level ratings -- affirming that the Donald Trump fueled Republican debate slate is one of the most popular television shows of the year.

CNN's debate was slightly lower-rated than Fox's GOP face-off one month ago in Ohio. That prime-time debate, the first of the season, averaged 24 million live viewers. Its earlier debate that day averaged 6.1 million.