TV convention viewing shows racial divide
The Nielsen Company went inside the huge TV audiences for the Republican and Democratic conventions and came up with some compelling demographic breakouts on who was watching what.
The divides by race, age, education and income at the end of this post are worth some serious thought. I admit I did not think the audience was this divided. I wonder what it says about our politics, nation and the upcoming election.
Here are some of the findings:
Nearly two thirds of all households (64.5 percent or 73.2 million homes) tuned into at least one of the 2008 political conventions. This equals about 120.1 million people.
Viewership levels for the two conventions were essentially tied, with about half of all households watching each one. 15 percent of all households tuned to just the Republican convention, and 15.7 percent tuned to just the Democratic gathering. Another 33.9 percent of all households tuned to both conventions.
Homes that watched both conventions were more likely to be headed by someone 65 years or older. They also completed the most formal education: nearly one-third (32.3 percent) graduated from college.
Homes that only tuned to the Republican gathering were more likely to have higher incomes ($100,000 or more), to have a larger household size (four or more persons), to be white, to own a DVR, and to have a head of household with higher education (four or more years of college) and aged 35-54.
Homes that only tuned in to the Democratic convention were more likely to have a lower income (under $20,000 annually), to have a smaller household size (two persons), to be African American, and to have a head of household who is younger (under 35) and who has less education (one to three years of college).
All data and description of the audiences comes from Nielsen. See full findings and analysis here
(Associated Press photo of the GOP Convention by Stephan Savoia)
Comments
Oh look, more junk about politics, does TV show anything else? I guess not.
Ah, it's Mr. Anonymous again -- the man who does not want to be informed during the most important election of our lifetime. Z
Posted by: Anonymous | September 20, 2008 11:48 AM
Wow, I didn't know this election and the people who tuned in were this divisive. It is really interesting to see the stats. I think more black people tuned into Obama's speech because his main concern, it seems, is racial divide.
Hi, Thanks. Yes, I was impressed with those figures too -- and a little surprised by the extent of the divide. Thanks. Z
Posted by: Sarah Lehmberg | September 23, 2008 6:50 PM
In response to the previous comment stating that "more black people tuned into Obama's speech because his main concern, it seems, is racial divide" I would disagree. In fact I would say that Obama does not present his main concern as the racial divide, but instead the widening gap between the rich and the poor in America. Although he does acknowledge his multiracial ethnicity, he does not only address a certain racial group, rather he deliberately talks about issues that hope to identify with all those concerned with America's dwindling economy and unemployment. Though more African Americans did tune into the Democratic convention, those of a lower income tuned in with just as high numbers. I think Obama's campaign realizes this, which explains why he directs his cause towards all those facing financial difficulties rather than just at one racial group.
The difference is significant, becuase by allowing his words to be misinterpretated* in the media as emphasizing the racial divide rather than his more broad concern, makes Obama seem less in tune with America's state as a whole, and could radically affect how people vote in the election.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 24, 2008 11:50 AM