CNN's Florida Debate Delivers 5.4 Million Viewers

19^th debate is 10^th most-watched this cycle, fourth in 25-54 demo

By Andrea Morabito -- Broadcasting & Cable, 1/27/2012 3:55:38 PM

CNN's Florida debate on Thursday drew 5.4 million total viewers from 8-10 p.m. ET, besting the network's last debate on Jan. 19 but drawing a smaller audience than the other most recent debates on Jan. 23 (NBC) and Jan. 16 (Fox News).

Overall, Thursday's 19^th Republican debate was the 10^th most-watched of this election cycle among total viewers. In the key demographic of adults 25-54, the debate drew 1.74 million viewers, according to Nielsen fast nationals, ranking fourth in the target demo delivery among the primary debates this cycle.

The debate moderated by Wolf Blitzer helped CNN top the cable news rankings in primetime Thursday vs. Fox News' 2.1 million total viewers and MSNBC's 985,000 from 8-10 p.m. AC360 also won its hour after the debate, drawing 2.5 million total viewers vs. FNC's On the Record (1.9 million) and MSNBC's Last Word (1.1 million).

The debate picked up an additional 1.2 million total viewers and 562,000 adults 25-54 in its west coast airing, according to CNN.