January 16, 2009 4 Comments
On Tuesday, January 20th, Americans will witness history with the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama. How will this event compare with other inaugurations over the past 40 years? Nielsen has compiled data about inaugural viewership since 1969.
Key findings are:
- Ronald Reagan’s 1981 inauguration drew the most viewers – almost 42 million.
- First time inaugurations of two-term presidents drew higher ratings than their second (exception: Nixon in 1973).
- The least watched inauguration since 1969: George W. Bush in 2005, with 15.5 million.
Click this link for complete inauguration ratings 1969-2005
| PRESIDENT | DATE | Viewers P2+ |
|---|---|---|
| G.W.Bush | 1/20/2005 | 15,536,652 |
| G.W.Bush | 1/20/2001 | 29,008,200 |
| Clinton | 1/20/1997 | 21,583,000 |
| Clinton | 1/20/1993 | 29,721,041 |
| G.H.Bush | 1/20/1989 | 23,316,325 |
| Reagan | 1/20/1985 | 25,053,886 |
| Reagan | 1/20/1981 | 41,800,260 |
| Carter | 1/20/1977 | 34,127,090 |
| Nixon | 1/20/1973 | 32,950,900 |
| Nixon | 1/20/1969 | 27,007,700 |
| Source: © 2009 The Nielsen Company | ||
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Tags: Barack Obama, historical TV ratings, president, President Bush, presidential politics, Reagan, Richard Nixon
[...] can dethrone Reagan as the inaugural Nielsen ratings champ, but in the meanwhile you can see the inauguration numbers back to 1969 via the Nielsen Wire. Digg, Buzz, StumbleUpon, Share or email this [...]
Of course he’ll have the most. EVERY STATION had it on, I couldn’t get away from it.
Although he did inspire my wife and I to do something different.
We now have “NO MEDIA” night on Tuesdays. No TV, computer, radio etc…
Just talk,read and enjoy cooking. Very enriching
Finally, a Illinois Politian how has helped.
[...] For more information on Americans’ inaugeration day viewing habits visit Nielsen Wire. [...]
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