Yes and no, according to Nielsen IAG, which recently released data showing which cable programs are most “engaging” among self-identified Democrats and Republicans.

“Engagement” refers to the amount of attention paid to a television program by the average viewer.  Nielsen measures TV engagement by questioning a representative panel of viewers about their recall of specific telecasts’ content.

Nielsen’s analysis found that the cable programs that received the highest overall engagement scores — meaning viewers were most engaged in the shows’ content — also received the most bipartisan support, drawing high engagement scores from viewers of both parties, as well as from viewers who identify as political “Independents.”  

As might be expected, however, several programs had clear partisan bents.  On Comedy Central, for example, Democratic viewers paid the most attention to “The Colbert Report,” while “South Park” was the network’s most engaging show among Republicans.

Read coverage of Nielsen’s findings on NPR.org and in the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post and Mediaweek.

If history is any guide, Democratic presidents are associated with larger box office sales growth.  From 1980 to 2007, box office sales grew by 2.8%, on average, during Democratic administrations, while average sales growth under Republican administrations was just 1%, according to research released Monday by Nielsen PreView.

Overall, in the past three decades, movie sales have grown almost three times faster during Democratic administrations than during GOP administrations, according to Nielsen.

The entertainment industry may be facing tough times regardless of which party takes the White House in January.

According to a recent Nielsen study, 56% of consumers said they are likely to reduce their discretionary entertainment spending, as they seek ways to reduce expenses. 

Spending on travel and clothing may also take a hit — 51% and 41% of consumers surveyed by Nielsen plan to cut spending on those respective items.  In contrast, healthcare and housing spending were least likely to be reduced by consumers — just 9% of respondents said they will cut expenditures in those areas. 

View Nielsen PreView’s full report.

Cast your vote to help guide Nielsen PreView’s future political research. 

Choose from among the following topics:
- Democrats’ vs. Republicans’ media habits
- Undecided voters’ media habits
- Dominant Web sources for political information
- Changes in how American consumers access political news and information via TV and the Internet