• by Wayne Friedman , March 7, 2012

Super Tuesday represented another big TV news day for the cable news networks -- but one of the broadcast networks could also claim some honors.

In the 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. prime-time period, the big Republican primary contests around the country gave Fox News an easy win against its cable competitors -- earning a Nielsen preliminary average 2.84 million total viewers. CNN was next at 1.48 million, and MSNBC followed closely at 1.36 million.

In key 25 to 54 viewers, Fox tallied 728,000 to CNN's 512,000 and MSNBC's 381,000.

Looking at the slightly longer time period of 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., Fox took in an average 2.71 million viewers and 669,000 in 25-54. CNN was at 1.32 million total viewers and 454,000 people 25-54, and MSNBC was at 1.31 million and 366,000 viewers 25-54.

All three networks saw increases versus their previous Tuesday averages. But CNN claimed the most when looking at the prior three non-primary event Tuesdays. CNN said it grew 105% in total viewers and 112% in the 25-54 demographic. MSNBC was up 28% in total viewers and 54% respectively, while Fox gained 22% in total viewers and 41% among 25-54 viewers.

A broadcast network crashed the party a bit. A special 10 p.m. program "Decision 2012" from NBC about the primaries scored 3.14 million total viewers and got a 1.0 rating/3 share among 18-49 viewers.