CNN Press Release - CNN Digital Live Video of the Debate Triples New Hampshire

According to Nielsen Fast National data (8-10pm), CNN’s Tea Party Republican debate moderated by Wolf Blitzer delivered 3.6 million total viewers and 1.1 million among adults 25-54 last night, Monday, September 12. CNN ranked first in both total viewers and among the P25-54, topping second place FNC by +88% in total viewers (3.6m vs. 1.9m) and by +204% in the key demo (1.1m vs. 370k). CNN also out-rated third place MSNBC by +455% among total viewers (3.6m vs. 643k) and by +599% among 25-54 (1.1m vs. 161k).

Compared to CNN’s recent New Hampshire GOP debate (June 13, 2011), this debate increased 13% in total viewers (3.6m vs. 3.2m) and grew +23% in the key demo 25-54 (1.1m vs. 918k) despite other big events last night including the season debut of Monday Night Football and the U.S. Open Men’s Finals.

CNN.com – Global – 8-10 p.m.

· CNN.com recorded 4.0 million global page views during the 8 – 10 p.m. hours when the Tampa debate was live, up 9% over the prior 4-Monday average and up 17% from New Hampshire debate levels.

· With 609 thousand total video starts, levels were more than twice as high as the prior 4 Monday benchmark and 75% higher than the New Hampshire performance

· Live video hit 444.2 thousand streams, nearly 150 times as high as the prior 4 Monday benchmark and more than three times as high the New Hampshire debate.

The #cnnteaparty hashtag was the #1 trending topic globally and in the U.S. from 8:15 – 9:59 pm.