Record Audiences Reported for Super Tuesday

CNN led on the demo side and Fox News Channel in total viewers for coverage of Super Tuesday, with both networks establishing all-time highs for a night of primary and caucus coverage. MSNBC, on the other hand, lagged well behind its rivals and was the only network down from 2008 Super Tuesday.

Overall, Variety reports, preliminary Nielsen estimates show roughly 11 million people watched one of three cable news networks during primetime Tuesday, when primary and caucus results from eleven states were revealed — up from 9.3 million on the comparable night eight years ago. About a month ago, FNC, CNN and MSNBC drew 10.2 million for primetime coverage of the Iowa caucuses.

CNN registered the largest audience in the adults 25-54 news demo than any cable network on record for a primary/caucus night, averaging 1.6 million from 8 to 11. Fox News followed with 1.36 million, and MSNBC lagged far behind with 625,000.

In total viewers, Fox delivered another record-breaking primary night with 4.88 million viewers during primetime. CNN drew 4.10 million, and MSNBC about 1.98 million.