• by Wayne Friedman , September 5, 2012

Early-round TV presidential cable news ratings have given the Democratic National Convention slightly higher marks among TV viewers than the Republican National Convention.

During a three-hour prime-time block on the three main cable news networks the total viewership was at 8.8 million viewers versus 7.6 million for the first night of the RNC coverage.

Generally, viewers moved along party lines when it came to their cable news network preference. The first night of DNC coverage gave MSNBC -- which typically grabs more Democrat viewers -- a Nielsen preliminary 3.3 million viewer total; CNN was at 3.0 million and Fox News Channel was at 2.5 million.

Looking at the key news advertising sales viewer group, adults 25-54, MSNBC had 1.1 million; CNN, 1 million; and Fox News, 554,000.

A week ago, Fox News -- which typically targets more Republican-minded TV viewers -- had a bigger win on the first night, with 4.84 million overall viewers; CNN was at 1.5 million and MSNBC at 1.32 million.

Broadcast network coverage pulled in a collective 13.1 million viewers during the key 10 p.m. hour. -- when the networks started up their DNC coverage. During this time period, there were big keynote addresses -- First Lady Michelle Obama and keynote speaker San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro. A week ago at the RNC, the broadcasters pulled in 12.8 million during a similar time period.

NBC had the best results for any network, broadcast or cable: 5.3 million viewers at 10 p.m. Sister cable news network MSNBC was next with 4.1 million, followed by CNN with 3.9 million, CBS with 3.27 million, ABC at 2.59 million and Fox News with 2.4 million.

Among 18-49 viewers, NBC had a Nielsen preliminary 1.3 rating/4 share; ABC, 0.7/2; and CBS, a 0.6/2.

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