President Obama's speech at Tucson shooting memorial draws lower-than-expected viewing

Nearly 31 million people watched President Obama's speech at the Tucson memorial on Wednesday night — a surprisingly low figure considering how much attention the shootings in Arizona have received.

According to the Nielsen Co., an average of 30.8 million total viewers tuned in to the address, which was carried live at 5:45 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. PST on seven networks: ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, Fox News, CNN and MSNBC.

While the size of the audience was large by most standards, it was lower than has been seen for some other recent Obama speeches. Last June, the president's address on the Gulf of Mexico oil spill crisis was seen by 32 million viewers. And the 2010 State of the Union speech averaged 48 million. However, the timing of the Tucson speech meant that it occurred earlier than prime time in much of the country, including California.

— Scott Collins (Twitter: @scottcollinsLAT)

Photo: President Barack Obama addresses a gathering for the victims of a mass shooting in Tucson. Photo credit: Mike Segar/Reuters.

 

 

 

Comments

[H. Hassett]

It took courage to make the speech and courage to listen to the speech. It was not going to be a "feel good" speech and maybe that was a factor in the lower than expected viewing audience.

[Sri]

That's just a sign that people don't tune in to just television. A good number of people probably saw it online.

[JUdi Powell]

This article is a joke, right? It was memorial service, for pete's sake. Are we taking attendances at funeral services now? Let's get that negative spin on everything.....

[Steve Ford]

Regardless of the ratings, this speech will undoubtedly go down as one of the finest speeches ever delivered by a sitting president.

It was completely and utterly flawless.

[Rosie]

You cannot possibly be serious with his article, right?! Oh, my goodness, this is not the season finale of "Friends"!

[Linda Fulton]

You've got to be kidding. This article was the best you could do? How shallow can a paper get? Reporting on the Nielsen ratings? Who cares? What are the Times editors thinking? How disappointing with so many aspects of actual news, commentary, back story, the LA Times took to reporting and offering commentary on the number of people who watched the event live versus saying something cogent about the event itself. As if initial viewing numbers are important to anyone! What a waste of print.

[Scott Collins]

Hi folks, Scott Collins here. Just to be clear: Nielsen has delivered ratings on presidential speeches for years. And we have reported on those ratings for years. This isn't the first time and won't be the last. There was absolutely no political slant intended in the story. And The Times has offered extensive coverage of the speech - including interpretation and analysis - elsewhere. That is NOT what this item is about. It's a report on the viewing of a TV event that aired on seven networks. That's it.

[Spike Dawg]

Two speeches the same day. Obamba showed class. Palin showed why she's an ass. Obama's words were soothing. Palin's words were seething.
The closest Palin will ever get to the White House is if she goes on a tour with the rest of the little people.

[Lydia Plunk]

I am feeling very sorry for the reporter. So many angles to cover- and he gets stuck with bean counting- like this was opening night.

[Don Norman]

"Only" 31 million at a time that is not prime time? The Niesen report is not worth mentioning. It is clear that you people will always try to find a way, however subtle, to bash or downplay Presidenet Obama. The ultra right wing Republicans cannot stand to see President Obama in the White House. They don't want more Democrats at the helm, and they certainly don't want any more non-Caucasians in the White House. Why comment on such trivials as "only 31 million viewers", which, in fact, was quite a large number for that time? Why not instead comment on the comfort that the President gave to the victims and their families, and his call for peaceful unity among Americans? How much more stupid can you get?

[Rhonda Chapman]

Hi Scott, you sound like a nice young man probably fresh out of college. Even in your response, you missed the point. There should be no 'ratings' of a person speaking at a memorial service. Period. There should have been no 'cheering crowd'. It was distasteful. As I read your 'headline'... I couldn't help but surmise your first try, "President Obama's speech at Tucson memorial draws lower-than-expected RATINGS". That was your original headline, wasn't it? I bet your supervisor/editor made you change it, right? Going forward, pray for guidance as you do your job, it's an important one, not to be taken lightly. Pres Obama should have shown the same restraint and said a prayer from the whitehouse and left these people to mourn in peace.

[Scott Collins]

Rhonda: Oh, yeah. Fresh outta college. Ha!

[Nuala]

Flawless and wonderful yes he was not a dry eye in my home he is so elequent I am sure the people of Tucson felt solace in their tregedy and I wish them all well and hope that they can move on and heal soonest.

I just love his command of the English language. There is a book out about "things I wish to do before I die" I want to meet Obama sit down with him for 1 hr and just listen to him. Loved his books just tremendous.

Listened to not so popular Bainer (excuse spelling) in my home but he spoke really well as Pelosi etc. It was a day well spent in front of the tube.

Let all America move on in a positive way. I really hated the Retoric from the very first day when John McCain pointed to Obama and said "That One.." to me it was so frightening ....
and ever since then how it escalated and continues to the state of sickness.

The saying "Misery loves company"

I wish America a good recovery, happiness and health

[Jack Kennedy]

another campaign stop for obama ........... nothing more, nothing less ............. obama showing lack of class in using tragedy to do a campaign stop, but press coverage was free and did not have to give equal time ............ sucks for America as LIBERAL VITRIOL AND HATE continues

[GARY]

TO JACK KENNEDY, WHAT A MISINFORMED ASS YOU ARE. THE WORLD IS ROUND BY THE WAY.

[Avalent]

Has it occurred to you that maybe some of us had to work and viewed it later.