FOX News Channel's GOP Debate Delivers Second Highest-Rated Telecast in Network's History

FOX News Channel's (FNC) GOP presidential debate, presented in conjunction with Google, scored 12.5 million total viewers last night, making it the second highest-rated telecast in the network's history. Moderated by FNC's Megyn Kelly, Bret Baier and Chris Wallace, the debate also pulled in 3.5 million viewers in the advertiser friendly demo of adults aged 25-54. The debate topped all TV Thursday night in total viewers including all broadcast shows.

Taking place in Des Moines, Iowa, the debate featured the top ranked candidates in their last CONTEST before the Iowa Caucus. The debate beat CNN and MSNBC combined in both total viewers and key demo which aired the Donald Trump rally from 9:15-10:15PM/ET. Additionally, the debate topped the previous GOP debate by 13% in total viewers and 17% in the demo. The earlier debate moderated by FNC's Bill Hemmer and Martha MacCallum averaged 4.5 million in total viewers and 882K in the key demo.

The combined event was also a driving force online and across social media. Nielsen Social TV ratings ranked the debate as the number one event on Twitter last night with 1.073 million tweets and 162 million impressions, beating AMERICAN IDOL and WWE. Socialbakers ranked Fox News as the number one news brand on Facebook & Twitter in terms of Interactions, beating out CNN, MSNBC, NBC News, ABC News, CBS News, New York Times, Huffington Post and BuzzFeed News.

**All must be attributed to Early Nielsen Research.

Thursday, January 28, 2016 Republican Presidential Primary Debates

FNC 7-8PM/ET Debate: 4,544,062 P2+; 881,849 A25-54
FNC 9-11PM/ET Debate: 12,466,803 P2+; 3,467,514 A25-54

9-11PM/ET
CNN: 1,761,288 P2+; 555,807 A25-54
MSNBC: 1,025,533 P2+; 235,999 A25-54

9:15-10:15 PM/ET
FNC: 12,797,331 P2+; 3,547,382 A25-54
CNN: 1,956,722 P2+; 616,418 A25-54
MSNBC: 1,143,848 P2+; 259,663 A25-54

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