CNBC Draws Record 14 Million Viewers For GOP Debate

By R. Thomas Umstead
last updated

CNBC is the latest network to benefit from the popular Republican Presidential Debates, drawing a record 14 million viewers for its debate telecast lasta night.

The debate, which featured the top Republican candidates including front runners Donald Trump and Ben Carson, also drew a record 3.9 million adults 25-54 and 3.4 million adults 18-49, said network officials. CNBC moderators also came under scrutiny from some of the candidates for offering up biased questions during the two-hour event. 

The third televised debate among Republican candidates fell short of the 24 million viewers for Fox News’ August debate and the 23 million viewers drawn by CNN for its Sept. 16 debate.

Fox Business will televise the next Republican debate on Nov. 10.  

In the 6 p.m. Republican Presidential debate, CNBC said it averaged 1.6 million total viewers. Following the debate, CNBC series The Profit averaged 1.9 million total viewers, making it CNBC’s most-watched original series telecast in network history.

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.