RNC ratings for Night 2 show nearly 15 million viewers watched, Nielsen data shows

About 14.81 million viewers million viewers tuned in to the second night of the Republican National Convention , according to preliminary Nielsen Media Research data.

The event was broadcast live from Milwaukee and covered by 11 different TV networks that reported results to Nielsen.

Between 8-11 p.m. ET, Fox News amassed over 5,200,000 million viewers while CNN and MSNBC followed with 862,000 and 769,000 respectively, according to the Fox News report citing Nielsen data.

The Fox News statement also said the network saw increased viewership compared to the 2016 GOP convention (2020's was limited because of the pandemic).

The RNC kicked off in Milwaukee Monday after a dramatic few days, during which Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt and ended a months-long mystery by naming Ohio Sen. JD Vance as his running mate. On Tuesday, the official GOP nominees sat together during several RNC speeches including one-time Republican contenders such as Flordia Gov. Ron DeSantis and former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley .

Over 18 million viewers tuned it for RNC Day 1

Nielsen estimates that 18.13 million viewers tuned the RNC on Monday, the company said in a Tuesday release.

In 2020, the first day of the RNC saw approximately 12 million viewers, Nielsen reported.

While Nielsen ratings do not capture those who streamed online, experts still say viewership of conventions has been waning as they turn into predictable pep rallies. But audience can come back with an element of something unexpected.

2020 RNC and DNC ratings

For convention audiences, Nielsen also issues ratings based on the percentage of television-owning households that tuned in.

The household rating for the first night of the 2024 RNC was 10.6, according to Tuesday's release. Here is how that compares to 2020's nightly ratings, when in-person events were scaled back or canceled due to the pandemic:

2020 RNC

• 2020 RNC Day 4 - 14.7
• 2020 RNC Day 3 - 11.0
• 2020 RNC Day 2 - 12.2
• 2020 RNC Day 1 - 10.7

2020 DNC

• 2020 DNC Day 4 - 15.6
• 2020 DNC Day 3 - 14.6
• 2020 DNC Day 2 - 12.6
• 2020 DNC Day 1 - 12.7

The last night of the convention typically draws the biggest audience.

How to watch the RNC

USA TODAY is streaming the RNC. Watch it live here:

The RNC will conclude on Thursday, when Trump is expected to speak. Other speakers are still being finalized.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: RNC ratings for Night 2 show nearly 15 million viewers watched, Nielsen data shows