Calamari Cameo Helps Democrats Keep Viewers for Convention
Calamari Cameo Helps Democrats Keep TV Viewers for Convention
(Bloomberg) -- The traditional roll call from states, including an homage to fried seafood from Rhode Island, helped the Democratic National Convention hold on to its audience on the second day of the nominating festivities.
Tuesday’s coverage of the convention attracted 19.2 million total viewers starting from 10 p.m. New York time -- as delegates were formally making Joe Biden their nominee. That was down from the 19.7 million who tuned in the first night, the ratings company Nielsen said. But it was less a decline than might be expected as the proceedings wear on.
The 2.5% decline from the first to second night was less than the 4.8% tumble the convention saw in 2016. Overall, viewership is way below four years ago, a development driven by the continued shift to online viewing from traditional TV, as well as the impact of the pandemic, which forced the party to hold the convention virtually.
Comcast Corp.’s MSNBC led in total viewers among the six main broadcast and cable news networks, according to data provided by the networks.
Tuesday’s speakers included former president Bill Clinton and Jill Biden, spouse of nominee Joe Biden.
A highlight for many was the roll call, as states committed their delegates. This year, the process included video submissions, including one from Rhode Island that featured Democratic state party Chairman Joseph McNamara and a large plate of calamari. The spot and the popular appetizer soon began trending on social media.
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