Historical TV Ratings Republican Conventions

YEAR	NETWORKS	TOTAL RATING	TOTAL HOMES
2004	Total- ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, MSNBC, FOXNC	15.3*	16,809,000*
2000	Total- ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, MSNBC, FOXNC	13.9**	14,042,000**
1996	Total– ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, PBS	16.5***	15,756,000***
1992	Total– ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, PBS	20.5	20,000,000
1988	Total– ABC, CBS, NBC	18.3	16,200,000
1984	Total– ABC, CBS, NBC	19.2	16,200,000
1980	Total– ABC, CBS, NBC	21.6	16,500,000
1976	Total– ABC, CBS, NBC	31.5	21,900,000
1972	Total– ABC, CBS, NBC	23.4	14,400,000
1968	Total– ABC, CBS, NBC	26.4	15,000,000
1964	Total– ABC, CBS, NBC	21.8	11,130,000
1960	Total– ABC, CBS, NBC	28	12,596,000
Source: The Nielsen Company (1960 – 2004)
Presidential nominating conventions are held in July and August with the party holding the Presidency scheduling its convention last. Changes in the parties’ primary system have impacted the conventions in recent campaigns.
2004 data based on the sum of Rep. Convention Coverage during Common Coverage Time Periods: CNN, FOXNC, MSNBC= Monday 10-11:00PM; ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, FOXNC, MSNBC = Tuesday and Wednesday: 10-11:00PM; ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, FOXNC, MSNBC* = Thursday: 10-11:15PM. (*coverage includes sustained programs).
**2000 data based on the sum of Rep. Convention Coverage during Common Coverage Time Periods: ABC, CNN, MSNBC, FOXNC=Mon-Thu appr.10-11pm; CBS=Wed-Thu appr. 10-11pm; NBC=Tue-Thu appr. 10-11pm.
***The Family Channel also aired the ’96 Republican Convention but is not included in the Total Rating and Total Homes.