Nielsen: 66.8 Million Viewers Watched Prime-Time Election Coverage

NEW YORK: Thirteen U.S. networks aired live coverage of the presidential election on Tuesday from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., drawing an estimated audience of 66.8 million viewers, according to Nielsen.

This estimate is for the people who tuned in during prime time to watch news coverage for the presidential election as well as the senate, congressional and state-level elections. For all households, election night coverage scored a 39.3 rating, compared to 2008’s 41.5 rating. For persons over the age of 2, coverage drew a 23.0 rating, compared to 2008’s 24.5 rating.

Live coverage of the event was provided in the U.S. by ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS, Univision, Telemundo, CNBC, CNN, FOX News Channel, MSNBC, Current TV and TV One.