In Depth
Palin Chat Gives ABC Newscast a Win
Alaskan Gov. Sarah Palin’s visit to “World News Tonight” drew 9.7 million viewers, lifting ABC to the top in the nightly news race Thursday.
Part one of Gov. Palin’s interview with Charles Gibson overtook second-place “NBC Nightly News” by 29% in terms of viewers, according to preliminary data from Nielsen Media Research. It’s a viewership high for ABC since Feb. 12.
Yesterday’s telecast also brought in a 2.5 rating/10 share in adults 25 to 54 years old. Week-to-week, the interview gave “World News Tonight” a 36% increase in that target demographic.
This isn’t the first time an appearance by Gov. Palin has spiked ratings. Her speech at the Republican National Convention brought in droves of viewers curious about the Republicans’ surprise pick for their vice presidential nominee.
More than 37.2 million viewers watched Sept. 3 Gov. Palin’s speech at the RNC, only 1 million fewer than watched Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama’s speech the week prior.
Interest in the RNC carried over into Sen. John McCain’s nomination acceptance speech Sept. 4, as 38.9 million turned out to set a political convention record for most-viewed speech ever.


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Comments 9
Barbara & Ken Bonner
Hello Charlie,
We've watched your very good interviews of Sarah Palin and I am glad you did not shirk from asking difficult questions.
My concern is this: We have not heard or seen anything about Joe Biden's vice presidential appearances. Haven't seen him since the convention. When are you going to give Joe Biden equal time?
steve rush
Charles, You were excellent, your questions spot on. I watched twice and could not find where she actually answered any of your questions. If she knows so little and can't follow simple questions in her own livingroom, what happens in a Cuban missle crisis?..."tell Fidel I'll get back to him", "I need just a moment to read the manual...now where did I put that?". Thank you for introducing us to what is a nice lady; but NOT a world leader and maybe just a fair state offical. Did I say I have become more religious, since the program? And you know I can see China from the outhouse and fell strongly I can negotiate a trade deal, now that we're sort of neighbors.
LLP
Charlie, Why were the Palin's answers edited? This gives the appearance that Palin gave answers that you do not want the public to hear. Today's viewers are intelligent enough to glean what Sarah means when she gives an answer. By editing, you do a disservice to your viewers. I think you owe the viewers an apology.
Shari
Having been a lifelong Democrat, thanks to the leftist press and editing her comments the way you did, I will def. be voting for her and John McCain and my voter registration after the election will now be Independent. Where have all the true reporters gone? You were very condescending. As a woman, I was insulted. Shari
Red Blanchard
I didn't see the intervieew, but am not surprised to hear that those lefties edited her answers to what they wanted her to say.
I think Charlie Gibson has caught the "Messiah Complex" from Osama -sorry, Obama...
Lydia Lightning
Hello Charlie Gibson, I think you did a wonderful job in your interview. I think people are forgeting this is not a beauty contest or vote for promqueen contest. This is about can Gov. Palin stand up under any kind of pressure. Let's think about this for a minute she will have to fill in when the President can't go to other countries. We need to know what she is made of. We all know she can read a good speech. To get my vote I need to know can she speak well to other leaders and most important how much does she know while speaking to others. Wake up America we need a smart President. To the people who are so mad about you Mr. Gibson I think they are mad she did so bad. We all saw she know nothing about world veiws.
LLP
Actually, when reading the interview in it's entirety, one may find it shines favorably on Palin.
Don't let anyone keep you in the dark. Be informed. Educate yourself and find the truth outside slanted media bias.
rich
Gov Palin was like a deer in the head lights.
And a puppet for the GOP. It is sad that the issues are not whats being brought up like the same people who backed Bush are backing MCCAIN and writing his and Palins speeches.
The right wing has collapsed the country and they still keep catering to Lobbyist and specail interest. Then they act like we should have a free market yet bail out their friends from tax payers money.
Doesnt anyone care anymore or has the lies become more important then the truth now days.
Finally the worst thing is they claim to use GOD in the right wing views, problem is you cant customize GOD to fit your schemes.
that includes wars and covert treachery.
enough is enough.
Shari
Dear Rich:
Understand you are most likely a very patriotic American as the rest of us but wonder, "Did you see the interview and then read the transcript?"
Also as you read, try to put yourself in a woman's shoes - not hers but the rest of 50% of Americans who are women.
Will be interested in reading your comments after you read it.
PS: her God comments were actually a quote from Abraham Lincoln.