Fox News Tops Cable Ratings for Second Debate

MSNBC, FNC up from first Obama-Romney meeting

By Andrea Morabito -- Broadcasting & Cable, 10/17/2012 3:45:12 PM

Fox News again led the cable news networks in coverage of Tuesday night's second presidential debate, averaging 11.1 million total viewers from 9-10:45 p.m., according to Nielsen fast national ratings data.

CNN was the second most-watched with 5.75 million total viewers to MSNBC's 4.91 million viewers. In the news target adults 25-54 demo, the ratings stacked up the same: FNC had 3.46 million demo viewers, CNN drew 2.58 million viewers and MSNBC averaged 1.92 million.

Fox News and MSNBC's ratings were up over the first presidential debate on Oct. 3 in both measures, while CNN was down in total viewers though up in the demo.

Total viewership numbers for the debate will be released later Wednesday afternoon.