Fox News Tops Cable Ratings for First Debate with 10.4M Viewers

More viewers watched Wednesday night's presidential debate on Fox News than any other cable news channel, according to Nielsen data.

FNC averaged 10.42 million total viewers from 9 p.m.-10:30 p.m. (ET), when the debate aired. It was also tops in the key demo of adults 25 to 54 with 2.93 million. It was FNC's highest-rated presidential debate ever.

CNN was second in both measures, with 6.05 million tuning into the channel for the debate and 2.37 million adults 25 to 54, ahead of MSNBC's 4.71 million total viewers and 1.85 million key adults.

On broadcast, ABC tallied the most debate viewers, averaging 11.25 million, just ahead of NBC's 11.07 million.CBS was third with 10.6 million. Demo-wise NBC was in front with 5.16 million, versus 4.65 million and 4.51 million for ABC and CBS, respectively.

Measured by fast national ratings, CBS had been in front with 10.18 million viewers and ABC close behind at 10.12 million. NBC drew 9.91 million viewers, while Fox had 7 million.