NBC wins election night ratings race

NBC reports from New York's Rockefeller Center, which was transformed into "Democracy Plaza" on Nov. 6, 2012. / NBC

NBC News took election night in the network ratings, according to The Hollywood Reporter, citing fast affiliate numbers.

The network's prime-time coverage landed in first place with a 4.6 rating among the 18-49 demographic and 12.6 million total viewers. Anchor Brian Williams, who led the network's election programming from "Democracy Plaza," was also the first to announce that President Barack Obama had won the race. "He remains president of the United States for a second term," Williams said shortly after 11 p.m. ET.

• Complete coverage: Election 2012
• Election 2012: How TV networks handled coverage

ABC snagged second place with 3.8 adults rating and 11.15 million total viewers. A lot of buzz surrounded ABC's coverage on Wednesday thanks to Diane Sawyer's slow delivery, sparking a few jokes on Twitter. Some viewers even wondered whether the veteran journalist had a few drinks before going on air.

The network happened to suffer from a power outage, too, and Sawyer took to Twitter on Wednesday to address both viewers' tweets and the power situation: "Awe for the @ABC powerhouse team. Hail the techs who kept us on air....during 25 minute power outage. Read your tweets the good, bad, and the funny. See you on @ABCWorldNews."

CBS, meanwhile, landed in third place with a 2.7 rating among adults and 8.42 million viewers. Host Scott Pelley anchored the network's election coverage alongside Bob Schieffer and Norah O'Donnell.

In fourth place was Fox, which posted a 2.0 rating and garnered an estimated 5 million viewers.

Tell us: Which network or cable news channel did you watch?

[Sbrown4Y65]

I have to say that I don't agree with the positive assessments of Bob Schieffer's performance as a CBC wise-man or high-level thinker. I have watched CBS for years, being in my late 60s.

CBS seems to think that Mr. Scheiffer is a current day Walter Cronkite. But if your paid to have an opinion, why hide it, as Mr. Scheiffer often does behind his blandishments.

For example, about a week ago Scott Pelley asked Mr. Scheiffer about his expectation of who would win the Presidential race. Mr. Scheiffer threw up his hands and giggled (not laughed) and said "oh it is to close to call" and "it could end up in the House of Representatives."

He also gets into a stream of thought that seems to be his wishful thinking or his attempts just to make conversation.

For example, last night, as I watched Mr. Scheiffer, he pointed out that at the moment, Mr. Romney was a million votes ahead in the popular vote and that would mean trouble for Mr. Obama even if he won the electoral college. He said 4 - 5 times in the space two minutes. Mr. Pelley added a qualifier that "this is snapshot in time," probably knowing that less than one-half of the vote had been counted at that point. By night's end Mr. Scheiffer had abandoned his line that Mr. Romney was winning the popular vote but losing the electoral vote.

In sum, I think Mr. Scheiffer has the appearance of gravitas without the substance

[innerjuju]

We followed NBC (a funny thing to be typing on CBS.) The lineup of anchors and correspondents were clear, concise, and accurate. They made for good political viewing and you didn't feel it was partisan.

[Conservativesareidiots]

I watched all of them for a few minutes each, even the evil Fox, but always came back to Brian Williams and NBC. Chuck Todd is a fabulous resource. Can't stand Sawyer's whiny voice.

[annmac38]

I flipped among the stations but usually went back to CBS for the most dependable reporting. I wish Bob Schieffer was very younng and just starting his career as I rely on his fine observations more than other television reporters and hate to think of him retiring.

[dexsore]

I watched it on my xbox 360. nbc is the only news to have an app on xbox live.

[benjotoo]

We followed Chuck Todd around all evening and alternated between MSNBC and NBC...but we probably spent 2/3rd of the evening watching Rachel on MSNBC.