More numbers on debate watchers

More than 3 in 5 US households watched at least one of the two debates so far, and nearly one in three watched both the presidential and vice-presidential face-offs, Nielsen Media Research reported this afternoon.

On the eve of the second presidential debate Tuesday night, Nielsen issued its latest number-crunching that shows the intense interest in this year's race.

About 41 percent of all homes watched the V.P. debate last Thursday -- up one-third from the first presidential debate on Sept. 26, which reached 31 percent of all households.

Both debates drew mostly white viewers, who make more than $100,000 a year and at least a college degree -- precisely the demographic most likely to already be following the race closely, Nielsen said.

Older viewers made up the biggest chunk of the audience for the debates, while Hispanic households were least likely to watch. They account for about 11 percent of all TV households, but made up just 6 percent of the combined audience for the two debates.