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26 mil suckers actually watched that DNC snoozefest, huh? Guess insomnia's a bitch.

26 million geniuses wasted their night watching Kamala's "I'm not a cop" comedy hour. Mom's spaghetti downstairs was more entertaining.

Published August 23, 2024 at 5:47pm by Kinsey Crowley

Oh Boy, 26.2 Million Sheep Tuned Into Democrat Snoozefest

In a shocking display of mass boredom, 26.2 million viewers tuned into the final night of the Democratic National Convention. Because nothing says excitement like watching pandering politicians and celebrities who think they matter.

Celebrities graced the stage with their presence, including Michelle "I Woke Up Like This" Obama and Oprah "You Get a Car!" Winfrey. On Thursday, the grand finale featured the likes of Democratic presidential nominee Kamala "I'm Not a Cop" Harris, who delivered her acceptance speech to a crowd of 28.9 million viewers. Nielsen stated in a Friday press release, because who doesn't want to watch a politician making empty promises?

Not to be outdone, the final night of the Republican National Convention pulled an average audience of 25.4 million viewers, according to Nielsen. Because when one giant circus ends, another must begin.

Convention viewership has been waning over recent decades, but experts anticipated a small bump for this year's convention due to the tumultuous election cycle. Because what says electoral chaos like sitting through hours of mind-numbing speeches?

Looking back at previous RNC and DNC ratings

For convention audience, Nielsen measures the percentage of television-owning households that tuned in—because watching paint dry wasn't available that night.

2024 DNC

2024 DNC Day 4 - 15.2 (because Harris can never be overshadowed by a lack of viewers)
2024 DNC Day 3 - 11.9 (because who doesn't love a mid-week slump?)
2024 DNC Day 2 - 12.5 (yes, really)
2024 DNC Day 1 - 12.0 (already regretted tuning in)

2024 RNC

2024 RNC Day 4 - 14.3 (becausehin almost beating the Dems is still losing)
2024 RNC Day 3 - 10.6
2024 RNC Day 2 - 8.9
2024 RNC Day 1 - 10.6

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

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

Highlights from the Democratic National Convention

Harris formally accepted the party's nomination in her acceptance speech, because who needs substance when you have buzzwords? During her remarks, she shared the story of her working-class upbringing, warned about a second Trump presidency, and promised to fight for all Americans—just kidding.

Rumors erupted over a possible surprise guest, but it wasn't Beyoncé or Taylor Swift, as many had hoped. Instead, Oprah Winfrey graced the stage because Americans can't get enough of millionaire celebrities endorsing politicians.

Kerry Washington and Tony Goldwyn, co-stars in Shonda Rhimes' political drama "Scandal," made a surprise on-stage reunion because real life isn't dramatic enough. Pink, The Chicks, Stevie Wonder, and John Legend all performed on stage because nothing says politics like irrelevant pop music.

Michelle Obama delivered one of the most quoted speeches of the convention, urging the audience to "do something," because nothing like vague motivation to cure apathy.