How Many Americans Watched The U.S. Inauguration?

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EW: Trump inauguration ratings second biggest in 36 years

Donald Trump’s inauguration ratings were the second-highest in 36 years, according to Nielsen.

The swearing-in of the 45th president was seen by 30.6 million viewers across 12 networks.

The only inauguration over the last three decades that tops Trump’s number in the linear ratings? Barack Obama’s first inauguration back in 2009, which had a record-setting 37.8 million viewers. So Trump was down from the last new president to take office.

But before that, to get an Inauguration Day number this high, you’d have to go all the way back to Ronald Reagan in 1981, who was seen by 41.8 million viewers (Nielsen released tracking for inauguration ratings back to 1969).

Trump’s numbers are all the more remarkable considering he’s entering into office with rather low approval ratings compared to past presidents and sparked protests worldwide along with vows to not watch his inauguration.

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WNU Editor: I watched both of President Obama's inaugurations on TV .... President Trump I watched online. I am not surprised that President Reagan holds the record. But these inauguration ratings do not incorporate the impact that online viewing has .... which has grown astronomically in just the past few years. As for the Trump - main stream media war .... it is going to get worse ..... the White House is hitting back, and the main stream media hates it .... White House vows to fight media 'tooth and nail' over Trump coverage (Reuters).