Obama-mercial, Daily Show Appearance Bring in Viewers

Over 33 million viewers watched a 30-minute message from Sen Barack Obama (D-IL) on Wednesday night, garnering 2.1 million more viewers on CBS, NBC and Fox combined than those three networks drew in the same half-hour last Wednesday. The combined overall household rating for the, in the top 56 local television markets where Nielsen maintains electronic TV meters, was 21.7; in comparison, the final debate between the two presidential candidates received a 38.3 household rating in the top 56 local TV markets. The candidates' first debate on September 26 received a 34.7 household rating in the top 55 markets; their second debate, on October 7, received a 42.0 household rating in those markets. Sen Obama also appeared on Comedy central's "The Daily Show." The episode attracted 3.6 million total viewers and a 2.6 household rating, besting its previous record—when Michelle Obama was a guest on Oct. 8—by 22%