Historical TV Ratings Democratic Conventions

YEAR	NETWORKS	TOTAL RATING	TOTAL HOMES
2004	Total- ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, MSNBC, FOXNC	14.3*	15,537,000*
2000	Total- ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, MSNBC, FOXNC	15.3**	15,380,000**
1996	Total– ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, PBS	17.2	16,418,000
1992	Total– ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, PBS	22	20,500,000
1988	Total– ABC, CBS, NBC	19.8	17,400,000
1984	Total– ABC, CBS, NBC	23.4	19,500,000
1980	Total– ABC, CBS, NBC	27	20,700,000
1976	Total– ABC, CBS, NBC	25.2	17,400,000
1972	Total– ABC, CBS, NBC	18.3	11,400,000
1968	Total– ABC, CBS, NBC	28.5	16,200,000
1964	Total– ABC, CBS, NBC	28.8	14,695,000
1960	Total– ABC, CBS, NBC	29.2	13,216,000
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 Dem. Convention Coverage during Common Coverage Time Periods: ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, MSNBC, FOXNC = Mon, Wed, Thur. 10-11:00pm; CNN, MSNBC, FOXNC = Tues appr. 10-11pm.
**2000 data based on the sum of Dem. Convention Coverage during Common Coverage Time periods: ABC, CNN, MSNBC, FOXNC = Mon appr. 10-11:45p, and Tues through Thurs. appr. 10-11pm; NBC= Mon 10:30-11:45p, Wed-Thu 10-11pm; CBS=Wed-Thu appr. 10-11pm