CLEVELAND, Aug. 7 (UPI) — Thursday evening’s debate among the top Republican presidential frontrunners was the most-watched non-sporting event in cable television history, Nielsen research revealed Friday.
According to Nielsen, about 24 million people watched the Fox News event — which was the first debate among the Republican frontrunners. An earlier debate between the rest of the GOP field garnered about six million viewers, the numbers said.
Thursday’s debate easily outdrew Fox’s previous record of 11.8 million viewers during a debate from the 2012 race, the Wall Street Journal reported.
The event, however, was not enough to top January’s college football championship game between Oregon and Ohio State, which drew an audience of nearly 33.5 million.
Perhaps one of the biggest factors in Thursday’s viewership was the participation of the outspoken Donald Trump, who delivered numerous barbs during the debate.
“What I say is what I say. Part of the problem this country has is being politically correct. I don’t have time for total political correctness,” Trump said of his blunt manner of speaking.
The debate also became known for one jab Trump made about a particular former daytime talk show host.
“Mr. Trump, one of the things people love about you is you speak your mind and you don’t use a politician’s filter. However, that is not without its downsides, in particular, when it comes to women,” Fox News personality and moderator Megyn Kelly said. “You’ve called women you don’t like ‘fat pigs, dogs, slobs, and disgusting animals.’”
“Only Rosie O’Donnell,” Trump quipped.
The former actress responded immediately via Twitter.
“”Try explaining that 2 ur kids,” O’Donnell posted.
The next GOP debate is scheduled for Sept. 15. The first Democratic debate will take place Oct. 13.
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