TV ratings: Debate dominates Wednesday and 'Supernatural' has a decent premiere

Fast National ratings for Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2012

The first presidential debate between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney dominated Wednesday night's ratings, scoring a bigger network audience than the first debate between Obama and John McCain in 2008. ABC, CBS and NBC all finished within a couple hundred thousand viewers of each other.

On The CW, which didn't carry debate coverage, "Supernatural's" season premiere scored demographic ratings on par with its debut last year and had its biggest audience since February.

"Survivor: Philippines" and "The X Factor" led the pre-debate hour of regular programming.

CBS led the night overall with 9.7 million viewers and a 6.1 rating/9 share in households. ABC (8.8 million, 5.5/8) came in second. FOX drew 8.1 million viewers and a 4.7/7 to finish third, edging NBC's 8 million and 5.1/8. The CW trailed with 1.4 million viewers and a 0.8/1.

FOX delivered the top adults 18-49 rating for the night with a 3.1. CBS took second with the demographic with a 2.8, followed closely by NBC, 2.7, and ABC, 2.6. The CW scored a 0.6.

Wednesday hour by hour:

8 p.m.

CBS: "Survivor: Philippines" (10.5 million viewers, 6.4/10 households)
FOX: "The X Factor" (9.3 million, 5.5/9)
ABC: "The Middle" (7.9 million, 4.9/8)/"The Neighbors" (6.6 million, 4.2/6)
NBC: "Animal Practice" (5.2 million, 3.4/6)/"Guys With Kids" (5.5 million, 3.6/5)
The CW: "Oh Sit" (915,000, 0.5/1)

18-49 leader: "The X Factor" (3.4)

9 p.m.

ABC: Presidential debate (10.3 million, 6.4/9)
CBS: Presidential debate (10.2 million, 6.5/9)
NBC: Presidential debate (10 million, 6.2/9)
FOX: Presidential debate (6.9 million, 4.0/6)
The CW: "Supernatural" season premiere (1.8 million, 1.0/1)

18-49 leader: NBC (3.5)

10 p.m.

ABC: Presidential debate (9.8 million, 6.1/9)/Debate analysis (7.7 million, 4.9/8)
NBC: Presidential debate (9.7 million, 6.2/9)/Debate analysis (7.55 million, 4.9/8)
CBS: Presidential debate (10.05 million, 6.3/9)/Debate analysis (6.95 million, 4.5/7)

18-49 leader: NBC (3.0)

Ratings information includes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are preliminary and subject to change. Source: The Nielsen Company.

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