TV ratings: Presidential debate draws big again and 'Emily Owens' has a decent start Tuesday

Fast National ratings for Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012

The audience for the second presidential debate Tuesday night is currently running about even with the first one. NBC and ABC had the biggest audiences for the debate coverage -- owing in part to big lead-ins from "The Voice" and "Dancing With the Stars: All-Stars."

In non-debate news, The CW got a decent premiere from its new series "Emily Owens, M.D." It built on the total audience from its lead-in, "Hart of Dixie," although it fell slightly in adults 18-49 and 18-34.

NBC led the night with 12.1 million viewers and a 7.2 rating/11 share in households, finishing a little ahead of ABC's 11.5 million and 7.6/11. CBS (8.2 million, 5.4/8) came in third. FOX was a pretty distant fourth with 3.8 million viewers and a 2.3/3. The CW delivered 1.5 million viewers and a 1.0/1.

The adults 18-49 title also went to NBC, which drew a 4.7 rating in the demographic. That was more than two points better than ABC's 2.5. CBS, 1.9, came in third, followed by FOX, 1.6, and The CW, 0.5.

Tuesday hour by hour:

8 p.m.

ABC: "Dancing With the Stars: All-Stars" results (12.7 million viewers, 8.6/13 households)
NBC: "The Voice" (12.1 million, 7.2/11)
CBS: "NCIS: Los Angeles" rerun (8.15 million, 5.4/8)
FOX: "Raising Hope" (4.3 million, 2.4/4)/"Ben and Kate" (2.9 million, 1.8/3)
The CW: "Hart of Dixie" (1.3 million, 0.9/1)

18-49 leader: "The Voice" (4.6)

9 p.m.

NBC: Presidential debate (12.85 million, 7.5/11)
ABC: Presidential debate (11.8 million, 7.6/11)
CBS: Presidential debate (8.7 million, 5.6/8)
FOX: Presidential debate (4.1 million, 2.5/4)
The CW: "Emily Owens, M.D." series premiere (1.7 million, 1.2/2)

18-49 leader: NBC (5.0)

10 p.m.

NBC: Presidential debate (12.4 million, 7.2/10)/Debate analysis (10.6 million, 6.5/10)
ABC: Presidential debate (11.1 million, 7.2/10)/Debate analysis (9.2 million, 6.0/9)
CBS: Presidential debate (8.65 million, 5.6/8)/Debate analysis (7.1 million, 4.7/7)

18-49 leader: NBC (4.5)

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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