Are convention viewing numbers a hint about who will win the election? Don't bet on it
The final results were in Friday: the Democratic national convention was more popular with television viewers than the Republicans'
By DAVID BAUDER
Published - Aug 23, 2024, 06:10 PM ET
Last Updated - Aug 23, 2024, 06:10 PM EDT
NEW YORK (AP) — In a close election campaign with both sides looking for an edge, the party with more people watching their midsummer convention would seem to have an important sign of success.
Yet historically speaking, that measurement means next to nothing.
Eight times over the past 16 presidential election cycles dating back to 1960, the party with the most popular convention among television viewers won in November. Eight times they lost.
The Democrats will see what a summer advantage means this November. Vice President Kamala Harris' party averaged 22 million viewers for its convention this week, compared to the Republican average of 19.1 million in July, the Nielsen company said on Friday.
